Dragon over the Waves with Moon Disc
Sold – no longer available
This piece was handmade by Nyoshin and was a 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 197 cm
- Width 60 cm
- Item Type Kakemono
- Jikusaki Bone
- Material Honshi Silk
- Period of Creation Shôwa (1926–1989)
- Technique Hand-Painted
- Unique Work Yes
No longer available
Description
From swirling bands of clouds emerges the scaled body of a dragon, turning toward the viewer with its mouth thrown wide open. Beneath it, foaming waves tower upward, while in the background a whorl-painted moon disc adds further drama – a classic motif full of power and movement, which has long stood for strength, wisdom, and the capacity for transformation.
Rendered entirely in monochrome ink on silk, the painter uses contrasting tones of black and gray to bring out the dynamism of clouds, water, and the dragon's body. Fine, almost engraved lines trace the scales and claws, while broad, washed areas suggest the movement of the clouds. Signature and red seal at the lower right attribute the work to the Shōwa period.
The mounting, with its olive-green patterned silk border and rollers of bone, underscores the impact of this powerful motif. An impressive kakemono for lovers of mythological subjects in Japanese painting, one that also holds its own as a striking focal point in a larger room.
