Two Cranes Under Pines by the Shore

Name: Two Cranes Under Pines by the Shore
Brand: Okamoto Tohiyoko
SKU: 6188
Price: 330.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Kakemono, unique work, 139 x 65 cm

Product number: 6188

Height 139 cm
Width 65 cm
Item Type Kakemono
Jikusaki Bone
Material Honshi Paper
Period of Creation Meiji (1868–1912)
Technique Hand-Painted
Unique Work Yes

Signature / Stamp:

Okamoto Tohiyoko

€330.00

Available, delivery time: 1-3 Days

Description

On a rocky shore, shaded by gnarled pines, two cranes stand in quiet exchange – one with lowered head, the other attentively scanning the horizon over the rolling waves. The fine ink drawing of the pine needles contrasts with the delicate linework of the plumage, lending the composition a balanced, harmonious depth.

Cranes are among the most significant lucky symbols in Japanese art: they stand for longevity, fidelity, and marital happiness, and are often depicted together with pines, which in turn symbolize constancy. This union of two lucky symbols makes the painting a particularly meaningful motif.

The work bears the signature and seal of Okamoto Tohiyoko and was created in the Meiji period. Painted on paper and mounted with a Jikusaki made of bone, this hand-painted unique work is a classic, resonant lucky motif of Japanese painting.

Frequently asked

Does this work carry a seal or signature?

Yes, this piece carries the signature or seal of Okamoto Tohiyoko

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?.