Hanging scroll of Willow Kannon
Price on request
A kakejiku 掛軸 (hanging scroll) by Murakami Kagaku 村上華岳 (1888–1939), depicting Kannon seated in a relaxed pose on a rocky outcrop beside water. A willow branch stands in a vase at her side, while a large moon-like disc frames her head beneath overhanging branches. The composition evokes both Willow Kannon 楊柳観音 (Yôryû Kannon) and Water-Moon Kannon 水月観音 (Suigetsu Kannon), whose imagery can overlap. Her serene expression and finely detailed robes, touched with colour and gilding, contrast with the expressive ink landscape.
Executed in ink and colours on silk. Signed “Kagaku” 華岳 and sealed at the lower left.
Murakami Kagaku 村上華岳 (1888–1939) was a nihonga 日本画 (Japanese-style painting) artist from Osaka. In 1918, he co-founded the Kokuga Sôsaku Kyôkai 国画創作協会, which sought greater freedom for artists outside the official exhibitions. He later withdrew from the art world and devoted much of his work to landscapes and Buddhist subjects.
Mounted as a hanging scroll with richly patterned silk brocade, fitted with bone jikusaki 軸先 (roller ends). Complete with a signed and sealed wooden tomobako 共箱 (storage box), dated summer 1924 (甲子夏).
Dimensions:
Image: 94 × 39 cm
Total (including mounting): 197 × 56 cm
Period: Japan – Taishô period (1912–1926); tomobako dated 1924.
In good condition, with a small horizontal tear at the height of Kannon’s cascading robe and some signs of age. Please refer to the photographs for a clear condition reference.
When shipped, a certificate of authenticity will be included.
