ARTIST : The artist is Hata Ryuko (1810-1858). He studied under Ukita Ikkei and Watanabe Shukei. He went on to study traditional Tosa styles by himself and came to specialize in revivalist Yamato-e or Fukko Yamato-e. This style had strong connections with the Imperial court in Kyoto. The handmade metal pulls are embossed with the Paulownia leaf crest originally made famous by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and later adopted by many families through inheritance and conferral. It is presently used as the official Prime Ministerial crest.
AGE : First half of the 19th century
SIZE : Each door measures 40 by 24 inches (102 by 61 cm).
DESCRIPTION : A set of two alcove or tokonoma sliding doors from the late Edo period. Painted with ink and pigments on a gold foil ground the scene is from a Bugaku performance. The figures are exceptionally well painted with great attention being paid to historical detail. The title of the play is written above the artist's signature although we haven't had it translated.
TECHNIQUE : ink and pigments on gold foil
CONDITION : Apart from the horizontal mark on the right side the doors are in excellent original condition.
