In Print: Published Japanese Paintings from the Kaikodo Collection

Isshi 一絲
(active ca. 1400-1450), attributed

“Byaku-e White-robed Kannon”
白衣觀音像

Hanging scroll, ink on paper
112.5 x 38.8 cm. (44 1/4 x 15 1/4 in.)

Box inscription by Yamamoto Soken (fl c. 1683-1706):
“Kannon painted by Kei Shoki. Written by Soken.”

Published:
– Zendera no Eshitachi (“Painters of Zen Temples”), Yamaguchi Prefectural Museum of Art, 1998 cat. 46, p. 87.
– Kaikodo Journal XV (Spring 2000), no. 28.

Gumei (early 17th century)
愚明

“Mazu and Three Elders Enjoying the Moon”
馬祖三老甑月圖

Hanging scroll, ink on paper
114.1 x 47.3 cm. (45 x 18 5/8 in.)

Artist’s seal:
Gumei

Colophon:
“When Patriarch Ma was enjoying the moon he asked: ‘What ought we to do at this moment?’
Baizhang replied: ‘We should nourish our (spiritual) selves;’ Xitang said: ‘We should cultivate our morality;’ Nanquan shook his sleeves (in disagreement) and left. Patriarch (Ma) then said: ‘The sutras can be placed in the storehouse and Chan practices returned across the sea (to India). Then there is only Puyuan (‘Universal Resolve,’ the personal name of Nanquan), there is only Puyuan.’ Kyoshi (‘Old Man in Retirement’).”

Box inscription:
[Transcribed and translated below.]

Published:
– Kawai Masatomo: Yūshō/Tōgan, Nihon Bijutsu Kaiga Zenshū, vol, 11, Tokyo, 1978, pl. 22, p. 110.
– Kaikodo Journal XXIII (Spring 2007) no. 35.

Watanabe (Kanō) Ryōkei 渡邊了慶
(d. 1645)

“Landscapes” 山水圖

Pair of hanging scrolls, ink on paper
Each scroll 100.3 × 48.8 cm. (39 1/2 × 19 1/4 in.)

Seal of artist:
Ryōkei

Published:
– Muneshige Narazaki: “A Pair of Landscape Paintings by Watanabe Ryōkei,” Kokka no. 735, 1953, p. 169;
– Doi Tsugiyoshi, ed.: Motonobu-Eitoku, Suiboku Bijutsu Taikei, vol. 8, Kōdansha, Tokyo, 1978, cat. 60-61, p. 116.
– Kaikodo Journal XXIII (Spring 2007), no. 36.

Nonomura Sotatsu 野々村宗達
(?-1643?)

“The Monk Hasoda”
破竈堕和尚像

Hanging scroll, ink on paper
97.0 x 46.5 cm. (38 1/4 x 18 1/2 in.)

Inscription: “Sotatsu hokkyo.”

Artist’s seal: Taiseiken yin

Box inscription: Yasuda Yukihiko (member of Geijutsu In and Juyo Bunkazai Shingi Kai).

Recent provenance: Satomi Chuzaburo, Kyoto

Published:
– Yamato Bunka, Nara, 1952, no. 8, p. 32.
– Suiboku Bijutsu Taikei, Tokyo, 1977, vol. 11, p. 180, fig. 99.
– Kaikodo Journal XI (Spring 1999), no. 31.

For a complete writeup with illustrated comparative material download the PDF.

Kano Tan’yu 狩野探幽
(1602-1674)

“Bosatsu Jizo Amidst Clouds”
雲中地蔵圖

Hanging scroll, ink on silk
98 x 36.4 cm. (38 3/8 x 14 3/8 in.)

Inscription: “Painted by Tan’yu-sai.”

Artist’s seal: Ho’in Tan’yu

Recent provenance: Baron Kawasaki collection

Published:
– Chōshun-kaku Kanshō, Tokyo, 1914, vol. 2.
– Choshunkaku Zohin Tenkan Mokuroku, Kobe, 1936, pl. 103.
– Kaikodo Journal XXV (Spring 2009), no. 55.

Kusumi Morikage 久隅守景
(paintings dated 1635-1697)

“Swallow on Lotus” 蓮葉燕圖

Hanging scroll, ink on paper
90.8 x 31.8 cm. (35 3/4 x 12 1/2 in.)

Inscription: “Painted by Morikage.”

Artist’s seal: Morikage (in the shape of an eggplant)

Published:
– Kōsetsusai Zōhin Tenkan Zuroku (“Auction Catalogue of the Kōsetsusai Collection”), Osaka, 1937, no. 46.
– Kaikodo Journal XXVI (Spring 2010), no. 30.

Yosa Buson 與謝蕪村
(1716-1783)

“Eight Immortals of Haiku”
八俳仙圖

Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper
65.0 x 28.8 cm. (25 1/2 x 11 1/4 in.)

Artist’s seal:
Chōkō; Shimei

Published:
– Sanno-sō Zōhin Tenkan Zuroku, Tokyo: Tokyo Art Club, 1935, pl. 14; Naniwa Jinbutsu Shi, Osaka: Osaka Municipal Museum, 1977, p. 40.
– Buson Zenshū, Tokyo, 1998, vol.6, Kaiga Hen, p. 413.
– Buson Ten, Osaka: Itsuo Museum, 2003, pl. 22.
– Kaikodo Journal XXIII (Spring 2007), no. 40.

(For more information download PDF below)

Ike Taiga 池大雅
(1723-1776)

“Pleasure within an Orange” 1764
橘中之樂圖

Hanging scroll, ink on paper
108.0 x 29.3 cm. (42 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.)

Artist’s inscription in stylized script at lower left within the circular reserve:
“Painted spontaneously by the Pilgrim of Three Peaks (Taiga).”

Artist’s seals:
Mumei; Kasei

Colophon:
Ekai Daisozu (170l-1765), written at the top of the painting. Translated with the details below; “Daisozu” can be rendered “great Buddhist priest.”

Published:
– Taiga Kazan Meisaku Ten (“Exhibition of Masterpieces by Taiga and Kazan”), Yamakataya Department Store, October 25–November 6, 1952, Kagoshima, Yamagata Shimbunsha (Newspaper), 1952, pl. 42.
– Ike Taiga Sakuhinshū (“The Complete Works of Ike Taiga”), Tokyo: Chūōkōronsha, 1960, pl. 178.
– Kaikodo Journal XXIII (Spring 2007), no. 38.

Recent provenance: Kōnoike collection, Osaka