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Sparrow on a Sakura Branch

Kakemono, unique work, 192 x 53 cm
Product number: 6231

Sold – no longer available

This piece was handmade by Mori Kansai 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 192 cm
  • Width 53 cm
  • Item Type Kakemono
  • Jikusaki Bone
  • Material Honshi Washi (Rice Paper)
  • Period of Creation Meiji (1868–1912)
  • Technique Hand-Painted
  • Unique Work Yes
Signature / Stamp:
Mori Kansai
Sold

No longer available

Description

This beautiful kakemono from the Meiji period depicts »Sparrow on a Sakura Branch«, showing a small sparrow sitting on a blossoming sakura branch (cherry tree), surrounded by delicate cherry blossoms and filigree foliage. The detailed depiction of the blossoms and the bird gives the image a particular vividness, while the gnarled branch forms an appealing contrast to the delicate splendor of the blossoms. The harmonious composition perfectly captures the transience and beauty of spring in Japan.

The work bears the seal of the renowned artist Mori-Kansai (1814-1894). The jikusaki made of bone underscores the traditional character of this work of art. Another highlight is that the kakemono is delivered in a signed wooden box, which not only serves for protection but also represents a valuable collector's item.

This kakemono is an outstanding example of the artistry of the Meiji period and a special piece for lovers and collectors of Japanese art who appreciate both aesthetics and craftsmanship.

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?.