Asai Seishu, “Monkey in a Pine Tree”, early 1800s

Asai Seishu [浅井星洲] (1796–1862)

“Monkey in a Pine Tree”, early 1800s, ink painting on silk mounted in a hanging scroll, signed with the artist’s name in ink “星 洲” (SEI-SHU) along with the artist’s seal at lower right.  

See a similar painting by Asai Seishu, but with a family of monkeys, offered by Invaluable auctions: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/asai-seishu-1796-1862-monkey-family-on-a-high-mou-530-c-91d44cd855. See also another painting by Asai Seishu at Mori Miyako Art. This site offers a close-up of the artist’s ink signature and seal: https://morimiya.net/online/kakejiku-byoubu/J294.html. 

Size: (scroll) 178 x 34cm; (image) 93.7 x 32cm.

Conditions: fair/good condition with no major issues with the painted area, but the scroll shows its age with minor marks, a few wormholes and signs of having been hung as a scroll and handled for several centuries.

I am selling this very beautiful and rare painting by an acclaimed Japanese painter who trained with Matsumura Keibun (松村 景文) (1779–1843) in Shijo style (see biographical details offered by the British Museum [https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG5440]), for AU$700 in total (currently US$463.36/ EUR431.39/GBP358.69 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling (the scroll will be packed in a traditional wooden box but it is not the original box) to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$700) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in acquiring this marvellous painting of a monkey in a moment of animated contemplation, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Note that the true colour and tonality of the painting is closer to what is shown in the studio photograph and the spirit of the brushwork is somewhat lost in the scanned details.

Circle of Nagasawa Rosetsu, “Standing Crane”

Circle of Nagasawa Rosetsu (also known as Gyo, Masakatsunoinn, Chougyo and Hyokei) (1754–1799)—note that although the inscription shows (in translation) the name “Rosetsu” and the seal has the name, “Gyo”, I propose that this painting is in the manner of Nagasawa Rosetsu rather than being by the artist’s hand, following the strong tradition in Japan of working within the style of great masters.

“Standing Crane”, date of execution is unknown apart from clear evidence of the patina of age that this is an antique painting. Note that there is minor surface wear to the image and the mount has perforations and marks.

Ink on paper, mounted as a scroll with bone roller ends.

Size: (scroll) 60 x 208 cm (scroll); (image) 116 x 46 cm.

I am selling this bold and confident ink painting of a crane—note the loose calligraphic freedom of the brushwork that (to my mind) is in keeping with the rebellious spirit of the artist for which he is famous—for AU$700 in total including a wood storage box (currently US$484.41/EUR434.61/GBP361.99 at the time of posting this print) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$700) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this large scroll painting signed and with the seal of Nagasawa Rosetsu—mindful that I am not proposing that the painting is by this famous artist but rather from hand of a follower—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Japanese brush painting, “Twin Carp”, c1950?

Unidentified Japanese painter (fl.mid-1900s?)

“Twin Carp”, c1950? vertical (scroll) brush painting on silk, signed in ink and with the artist's seal.

Size: (sheet) 153 x 55 cm; (image) 115 x 42 cm.

Condition: The painting has been rolled as a scroll with minor marks and small holes in the mounting, otherwise the painting is in a good condition for its large size.

I am selling this exceptionally beautiful painting of twin carp—commonly seen as symbolising conjugal fidelity, unity and fertility—for AU$700 (currently US$467.88/EUR423.34/GBP372.66 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this very finely executed painting complete with the artist’s brush signature and seal (sadly I am unable to identify the artist), please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This painting has been sold

19th century polyptych woodblock print, “Kobo Daishi”, 1877

Unidentified 19^th century Japanese printmaker

“Kobo Daishi” (弘法大師) (aka Kukai [774–835 CE]), 1877 (based on information provided by the previous owner), four woodblock panels abutted and pasted onto a support sheet to form a single image. For background information regarding the Kobo Daishi—"The Grand Master who Propagated the Dharma"—see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%ABkai.

Woodblock prints on fine Japanese paper joined as a polyptych backed with a support sheet.

Size: (support sheet) 35.3 x 69.5 cm; (sheet) 24.3 x 59.5 cm.

Condition: strong and well-printed panels, but with minor abrasion at the lower left margin. The sheet has been laid upon a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. There is minor staining, otherwise the four-panel woodblock print is in a reasonably good condition for its age and size.

I am selling this visually arresting large four-panel woodblock print for the total cost of AU$324 (currently US$226.14/EUR215.22/GBP184.35 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this amazing composite sheet of woodblock prints, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

(Attrib.) Kanō Motonobu’s ink painted scrolls of Sages and their servants

(Attrib.) Kanō Motonobu (狩野 元信)(aka Kohōgen [古法眼]) (1476–1559) —a member of the Kanō school of painting that his father, Kanō Masanobu, founded and which was highly influential for painters of the Edo period (1603–1868). The attribution of these scrolls to Kanō Motonobu is based on information given to me from the dealer from whom I purchased them. Note, however, that one of the key traditions of Oriental painting is to copy old masters and these unsigned scrolls may be from the circle of the artist rather than by his hand. Nevertheless I can see evidence that the dealer’s attribution may be correct (viz. the clear age of the paintings, the confidence of the strokes and the painting style). For those unfamiliar with this artist, Wikipedia offers a good account of his life and achievements; see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kan%C5%8D_Motonobu.

Two ink on grey paper hanging scrolls with bone rollers (one needing reattachment), each scroll showing a sage accompanied by a servant.

Size of each scroll (approx.): 250 x 63 cm.

Condition: the scrolls are in poor condition with abrasions, roll creases, significant wormholes, old restorations and a loose roller end. Ideally these very large and beautiful paintings should be restored because of their outstanding quality.

I am selling these poetically delicate early ink paintings executed with great economy and lightness of touch for a total cost of AU$804 for the pair (currently US$573.81/EUR508.05/GBP432.80 the time of this listing) including the storage box, postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this pair of exceptionally beautiful paintings despite damages they have sadly sustained over the years, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.