Description

Japanese pair of 2 panel byobu screens, with hand-painted scenes of small flying birds, a pond with foliage, a blossoming plum tree branch with gold flecks.Applied gold clouds and pigment on silk. enclosed in a black lacquered frame dating circa 1930.

Yamashita Chikusai (1885-1973) was born in Kyoto and studied under the important turn of the century master Yamamoto Shunkyo (1871-1933) from the age of fifteen, becoming one of his highest ranking pupils. He regularly exhibited at the Bunten and Teiten.

In 1911, when he was 25 years old, he won a prize at the Bunten. Later, he won eight prizes in a row. One of these eight was a first prize. After the Bunten had been reorganized as the Teiten, Chikusai became a committee member.

His painting “Arashiyama in Rain” is held in the permanent collection of the The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

Both screens are signed Yamashita Chikusai (1885 – 1973) with a red chop. Included is the original red lacquer tomobako with calligraphy inscription.

Dimensions: 56 1/2″ x 60″ H (each screen), 65 3/4″ x 31 1/2″ H (box)