Dragon Head over the Water Vortex
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.
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Details about the sold piece
- Height 166 cm
- Width 52 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
From dense, interwoven clouds of ink, the head of a dragon emerges, its wide-open eyes and bristling mane confronting the viewer directly. With just a few, yet highly dynamic brushstrokes, the power of the mythical creature is captured: long whiskers, sharp claws, and a sinuous, scaled neck wind through the pictorial field, while dark ink washes in the background provide additional depth and movement. In Japanese iconography, the dragon is regarded as ruler over water and weather and is traditionally associated with wisdom, strength, and protection.
The hand painting was created on fine silk and dates from the Shôwa period; the bold, almost calligraphic brushwork recalls the ink painting tradition of Zen art, in which the dragon has been a central motif for centuries.
Mounted in the classic kakemono format, the hanging scroll is suitable for display in the tokonoma as well as for use as an imposing eye-catcher in a modern living space. For enthusiasts of expressive Japanese ink painting, this unique work with its dynamic composition is an impressive collector's piece.
