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I bought this floor screen from a couple that brought it back from Japan.

A friend said the poem signature is Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty). Screen appears to be early to mid 20th c., so I am wondering if there is also a signature of the artist who drew the calligraphy.

Also, what does the poem say?

I have it hung up in my living room, so I'd like to put a translation up.

Thank you!
TimG

Reading of the beginning of calligraphy　in my
rough translation,
題蕭恱画竹園
植物之中竹難冩　古今雖画無似者
蕭郎下筆獨逼眞　丹靑以来唯一人
.......
Title, Xiao Yue`s Painting of Bamboo Garden

Among the plants, bamboo is the most difficult plant to depict,
From ancient times to present many talented people have tried it,
Xiao Liang is the only one who can depict it realistically since Dao Qiang.
.........
At the end the name and seal read,
白居易　-　Bai Juyi
(772-846, Tang dynasty poet)
This poem is from the "Volume 12" of his collected
poems (20 Vols) titled "Sentimental Four" (感傷四）

Unfortunately, the name of calligrapher is not indicated anywhere. A beautiful work.

With regards,
I.Nagy

Thank you very much!

Even though I lack the ability to actually read the calligraphy, I find brush strokes and overall composition very intriguing.

Now that you've educated me, I have even greater enjoyment.

Thank you.
Tim

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