The Hermit and the Crane

Name: The Hermit and the Crane
SKU: 5484
Price: 250.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Kakemono, unique work, 180 x 61 cm

Product number: 5484

Height 180 cm
Width 61 cm
Item Type Kakemono
Jikusaki Wood
Material Honshi Paper
Period of Creation Meiji (1868–1912)
Technique Hand-Painted
Unique Work Yes

€250.00

Available, delivery time: 1-3 Days

Description

An old hermit with a long beard and traditional headwear offers food to a crane, while a small companion at his feet observes the scene – an image full of quiet affection between man and animal.

With bold, confident lines, the robe and facial features of the old man are rendered, while the crane is given an elegant lightness through finely fanned brushstrokes of feathers, standing in contrast to the earthbound figure of the hermit.

The crane is regarded in Japan as a symbol of longevity and good fortune, while the hermit represents a secluded, wise life away from the bustle of court life – together they form an image of harmonious constancy.

The aged paper, with its small areas of loss, lends the depiction additional authenticity and speaks of the long history of this sheet.

Frequently asked

When was the work created?

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.

Is this genuine craftsmanship?

Yes, this piece is a genuine handcrafted original that exists only once.

Why does the date of creation sometimes not match the artist's dates

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?.