Japanese Vintage Hanging Scroll entitled: Bo-Shibari by Yamaguchi, Ryoshu (1886-1966)

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Dimensions: Image: 20-1/8” x 13-1/2”. Scroll: 50-1/2” x 20-1/2”

Offered is an authentic work of art that stimulates the viewer and encourages cultural understanding. Hanging scrolls are generally intended to be displayed for short periods, after which they are rolled up and tied for storage. They are traditionally rotated according to season or occasion, rather than be on permanent display. This piece of artwork is mounted with decorative brocade silk borders and is considered a one-off piece of artwork.

The specific half-time performance which is in the series “Kyogen-ga Taiken” is entitled: Bo-Shibari, which is a traditional form of Japanese comic theater, often performed during the intermissions of Noh plays and designed primarily to make audiences laugh. Actors incorporated into this scene show exaggerated actions and some form of dialogue, along with slapstick and satire in their roles. These lively images capture the colorful characters from Kyogen's plays and the amusing antics of actors onstage.   

This hanging scroll using colored ink on paper is done in what is termed, sansebiao, styling (half scroll). The artwork in the lower portion of the scroll is called huaxin. At the top of the scroll is a thin wooden bar, called tiangan on which a cord is attached for hanging the scroll. Two decorative straps, called jingyan are made of brocade fabric and are not separate or loose from the scroll itself. At the bottom of the scroll is a wooden cylindrical bar, called digan, also covered in brocade with lacquered knobs at each end called zhoutou. Two clear crystal scroll weights are hung from these ends to weigh down the scroll and are included.

Condition: Excellent meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderful-developed patina commensurate which suggests a degree of wear that corresponds to its vintage and is void of damage, cracks, or repairs and meets all the standards of the collectible Kankijiku.