Cranes on the Pine
Sold – no longer available
This piece was a handmade one-of-a-kind work. It cannot be reordered and will never exist in this form again. The page stays online as part of our archive.
You might like these pieces
Details about the sold piece
- Height 190 cm
- Width 60 cm
- Item Type Kakemono
- Jikusaki Wood
- Material Honshi Silk
- Period of Creation Shôwa (1926–1989)
- Technique Hand-Painted
- Unique Work Yes
No longer available
Description
A pair of cranes balances on the gnarled branch of an old pine, while in the background a deep red sun rises over a wide, golden expanse – a composition that unites two of the strongest lucky symbols of Japanese art, crane and pine.
Unlike purely monochrome crane depictions, this work is executed in color: the pure white plumage, the black flight feathers, and the red crowns of the birds are finely worked out, while the pine needles in strong dark green form a vivid contrast to the warm golden tone of the background. Created in the Shôwa period on silk, the scroll has jikusaki ends made of wood.
The combination of crane, pine, and rising sun is among the classic New Year's and good luck motifs of Japan and was traditionally hung on festive occasions. This kakemono, titled Cranes on the Pine, combines vivid coloring with deeply rooted symbolism.
