Asian Art Forums - Detail List

Asian Art Forums

Group: Message Board

Re: Kakemono signature

Posted By: Guy Pepermans
Posted Date: Nov 08, 2009 (09:02 AM)

Message
Hi again David,

This a very fine Kyoto ukiyo-e painting in the style of (or probably by) the famous master Mihata Joryu (or Joryo), who was active 1830-1844. I don't know of your painting of a courtesan has a signature or a seal in the design itself; the inscription on the reverse is not the signature but reads simply "bijin ga" (painting of a beauty). Mihata Joryu is known for his dynamic design of his beauties robes. Another Kyoto painter that worked in a similar dynamic style was his follower Yoshihara Shinryu (1804-56). Both artists and also others Kyoto masters like Gion Seitoku (1781-c. 1829), Yamaguchi Soken (1759-1818), Bairinsai Setsuzan (dates unknown) to name a few, were very popular in their time but almost forgotten now; they are overlooked or even disliked by the general public and the art dealers in the West. In my opinion this is a great injustice. Paintings of Kyoto beauties are rarely featured since most people focus on Edo beauties, often painted by universally known ukiyo-e print artists.
Maybe things are changing a bit now - a most interesting exhibition with the focus on these Kyoto ukiyo-e artists and titled "Japanese Beauties, Glamorous, Decadent, Sensuous and Bizarre" was held last summer at The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture, Hanford, CA (see link below).

Guy.

Link :Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture - summer exhibition.

Post a Response

Responses:

Re: Kakemono signature - rat - Nov 09, 2009 (03:20 PM)

Re: Re: Kakemono signature - David Viner - Nov 10, 2009 (11:02 AM)