Monk Catching Shrimp
Kakemono, unique work, 186 x 45 cm
Product number:
6270
- Height 186 cm
- Width 45 cm
- Item Type Kakemono
- Jikusaki Wood
- Material Honshi Paper
- Period of Creation Meiji (1868–1912)
- Technique Hand-Painted
- Unique Work Yes
Description
A fascinating moment in accomplished ink painting: this original kakemono from the Meiji period shows a Buddhist monk amid calm waters, absorbed in catching shrimp. With a confident brush, the artist Yamauchi Kōsetsu captured the movement of the water and the serenity of the scene, while the crescent moon high in the sky lends the composition a poetic, almost meditative atmosphere.
The subtle use of color and the masterful linework give the motif a distinctive expressiveness. The painting was created on fine paper and finished elegantly with jikusaki made of wood.
This exceptional work unites Zen aesthetics with traditional Japanese painting and is a wonderful addition for collectors and lovers of authentic Japanese art.
Frequently asked
Yes, this piece carries the signature or seal of Yamauchi Kōsetsu
Based on the previous owners' information and the condition of the object we place it broadly in the Meiji (1868–1912) period, but cannot give a precise date.
Yes, this piece is a genuine handcrafted original that exists only once.
Because the two pieces of information speak about different things: the period designation describes the object – support, colors, condition – while the signature reflects which name appears on the painting. In most cases there is no attempt at deception behind this, but rather Japanese painting training: copying from workshop models was the curriculum for centuries, an utsushi is regarded as a bow to the teacher, workshops signed with the master's name, and artist names were passed down within a school. Such a hanging scroll is therefore not a forgery, but a hand-painted one-of-a-kind that continues the formal language of its school – just not the work of the famous name, and priced accordingly. We explain this in detail in the guide Why does a kakemono often bear the signature of an artist long deceased?.
