Tall screen river landscape

A superb tall six-panel byôbu 屏風 (folding screen), featuring a refined Kanô School painting of an auspicious river landscape filled with traditional symbols of longevity, resilience and prosperity.

The composition is dominated by the dramatic, twisting trunk and spreading branches of a blossoming plum tree 梅 (ume). Around its base are rugged rock formations and young pine trees 松 (matsu), while tall bamboo 竹 (take) rises at the left. In the distance, streams of water cascade between the rocks before flowing across the composition in broad, stylised currents.

At the right, two cranes 鶴 (tsuru) stand together at the water’s edge. Interestingly, the pair appears to comprise two different species: a red-crowned crane 丹頂鶴 (tanchôzuru) and a white-naped crane 真鶴 (mana’zuru).
Across from them, a pair of minogame 蓑亀, legendary long-tailed turtles, rests along the shore. Their characteristic trailing tails, traditionally understood as aquatic growth accumulated over an extraordinarily long life, make the minogame a well-known emblem of longevity.
The imagery brings together several deeply auspicious motifs. Cranes and minogame are both associated with long life, while the evergreen pine conveys endurance and longevity. Plum 梅 (ume), bamboo 竹 (take) and pine 松 (matsu) together form the celebrated Three Friends of Winter 歳寒三友 (saikan sanyû), plants admired for persevering through the cold season and therefore associated with resilience, steadfastness and renewal. The combination gives the screen a distinctly celebratory character, suitable for an important domestic or ceremonial setting.

Executed in mineral pigments and ink on mulberry paper against a shimmering gold-leaf ground. The painting is surrounded by two patterned silk brocade borders and mounted within a black lacquered wooden frame fitted with protective metal hardware.

Period: Japan, second half Edo period (18th century/first half 19th century).

Dimensions:
Total width: 377.8 cm (2 × 64.3 cm and 4 × 62.3 cm); Height: 173.8 cm.

Signed in the lower right corner “Kanô Shôshin hitsu” 狩野紹信筆 (“painted by Kanô Shôshin”), accompanied by a two-character seal reading “Zesshin” 絶信. Unfortunately, we have not been able to identify this particular artist with certainty.

Considering its age, the screen is in very good condition with wear and restorations consistent with age on both sides. The reverse shows areas of repapering, while the mounting and sections of the gold leaf have been restored. Please refer to the photographs for a clear impression of the condition.

The folding screen is ideal for mounting flat on a wall and presenting as a single work of art, but can of course also be displayed as a standalone piece.

When shipped, we will include a certificate of authenticity.