Owl and Sparrows
Kakemono, unique work, 188 x 55 cm
Product number:
6349
Sold – no longer available
This piece was handmade by Nakajima Kahō 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.
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Details about the sold piece
- Height 188 cm
- Width 55 cm
- Item Type Kakemono
- Jikusaki Wood
- Material Honshi Silk
- Period of Creation Shôwa (1926–1989)
- Technique Hand-Painted
- Unique Work Yes
Description
In masterful balance, this work bearing the seal of Nakajima Kaho shows an impressive scene between stillness and movement. An owl sits calmly and watchfully on a branch, surrounded by lively sparrows that seek its proximity, curious yet respectful. The subtle tension between the owl's composure and the smaller birds' restlessness lends the painting a fine narrative dynamic.
Painted on silk in the Showa period, the picture is distinguished by its elegant application of color and the fine brushwork with which both the owl's soft plumage and the delicate lines of the branches are captured. The artist captures the scene in a muted autumn mood, reinforced by the slightly yellowed leaves and the warm coloring.
The wooden jikusaki complement the painting harmoniously, while signature and seal attest to the authenticity of Nakajima Kaho's hand. This work unites technical precision with poetic calm – a homage to the balance of nature and the quiet observation of life.
Frequently asked
No – as a one-of-a-kind piece it exists in a single example only.
We would be glad to look for one. Get in touch with the details of the object you are looking for and we will see what we can do.
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?.
