Page 45 - Fine Japanese Art June 2, 2018 Galerie Zacke

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A RARE AND IMPORTANT
KAKEMONO OF THE KING OF
GHOSTS
Kakemono painting with colors on
silk. Japan, 19 century
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A fantastic painting with many
figures and some beautifully
grotesque details. The large figure of
the ghost king is in the center and is
quite distinct from the other ghosts
surrounding him. He is much larger,
72 73 entirely blue, wearing precious
A KAKEMONO OF FUDU MYO-O A SET OF THREE garments and a flame is coming out
Kakemono painting with colors on silk. Japan, JAPANESE SCROLLS of his mouth. He is wearing head
late 18 to 19 century WITH BODDHISATTVA decorations with an image that
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AND MONKS possibly shows himself, when he
Fudo means the ‘immovable’, he who firmly Silk with painting and was still alive. A large halo behind
adheres to the healing path of Buddhist mounts of wood and his head. Like the other ghosts, he is
teachings and asks the god of death bronze. Japan, Edo period extremely emaciated, with all of his
Yama for justice. In this painting, Fudo, or ribs visible and his belly protruding
Acala in Sanskrit, is placed in the center with A set of interesting silk grotesquely. The ghosts surrounding
typical iconography, surrounded by flames, scrolls with paintings him are so-called gaki-zoshi or
holding his khadga sword vertically and framed in silk with floral hungry ghosts in various colors and
holding the pasha sling to catch demons. motifs, inside an old poses, almost naked with only torn
He is richly adorned with jewelry and his wooden box. The central aprons. Some are pleadingly raising
garment shows several emblems of the and largest one, with their hands towards a floating
dharma wheel. Fudo has a grim, resolute finely gold painted central figure in elegant courtly garments
expression, he sees everything – one eye Bodhisattva with likenesses with fine, devout facial features
looks up, the other looks down – and has surrounding her on clouds. and folded hands. Inscription 朊
fangs for teeth. Lotus blossom on his head, The two neighboring scrolls 䃞 櫤 䌳 (‘The true face of the king
the figure next to Fudo is holding up another depicting monks. of ghosts’) on the left. One of the
lotus blossom. Several demons in front of ascending bubbles contains the
him, one with a khakkara staff; a hermit with HEIGHT 75.5 CM character 㯠 for ‘eternity’.
a full beard behind him. High mountains
in the background. The painting on silk is Condition: The central The national treasure Gaki-zoshi
mounted on paper, with silk and silk brocade one with only a tear to the scroll of the Hungry Ghosts in the
with gold. The gilded jikusaki show lotus fabric, painting in good Kyoto National Museum shows
blossoms. Inscription on the rear side. condition; the other two some similar depictions.
with losses to painting; all
SIZE image 116 X 54.5 CM, SIZE mounting worn and soiled SIZE image 169 x 88 CM, SIZE
174 x 66 CM Provenance: From an old mounting 249.5 x 98 CM
Austrian private collection
Condition: Generally in good condition; some acquired before 1930 Condition: Generally in good
creases and one small tear to the mounting - condition; damaged paper, cracks
one jikusaki missing and damaged futai Estimate EUR 500,- and stains - crease folds are visible
Provenance: From an important Austrian Starting price EUR 250,- Provenance: From an important
private collection, acquired before 1930 Austrian private collection, acquired
before 1930
Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 400,- Estimate EUR 20.000,-
Starting price EUR 10.000,-

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