Page 77 - Sothebys Fine Japanese Art London, November 2018
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TANOMURA CHOKUNYU (1814- In the 14 year of Meiji, the year being xinshi, Tanomura Chokunyū (1814-1907) was born
th
1907) A PAIR OF SIX-FOLD the eleventh month, I painted this and inscribed in Takeda Village, Bungo province. He was
PAINTED SCREENS it in a spot cool in summer and warm in winter. the adopted son of the reknowned literatus
MEIJI PERIOD, 1881 Mountain Woodsman, Chokunyū”. Tanomura Chikuden (1777-1835). As well as
The poem on the bottom screen reads: becoming a Nanga artist Chokunyū studied
田能村直入(1814 – 1907)、屏風 六曲一双、 Chinese Neo-Confucianism and Zen practices,
江戸時代、1881年 “All by myself, calmly chanting a poem about poetry, tea ceremony and swordsmanship. In
moon in the pines, 1880 he helped establish the Kyoto Municipal
sumi on gold paper, signed and sealed When—the Heavenly Dragon with pure voice emits School of Fine Arts and Crafts and in 1896 the
(2) the noblest music! Japan Nanga Society (Nihon Nanga Kyokai), an
each panel: 62 x 175 cm, 24⅖ x 69 in. My sense of hearing purified, my stainless heart organisation that aimed to preserve Japan’s
The poem on the top screen reads: washed clean, literati painting tradition.
Yours is immortal music, sir, the zither of
“Beside the River Hsiang in this dusty realm, there wondrous song! A single screen in similar style by the artist is
I wish to hang my gourd! th in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts,
Here, by chance, encounter each other these In the eleventh month of the year, the 14 of the Boston, accession number 11.4652, go to:
sages from the past. Meiji Period [1881], I painted and inscribed this in https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/
Beside the stream, for half the day they discuss the eastern chamber of the mountain home of the landscapes-25071
the Prajñā wisdom: Man of Tao, “Tiger,” of Matsunishi [i.e., himself, £ 15,000-20,000
Utterances of birds, gurgling of the stream — all (Little) Tiger being a childhood nickname of his
possess the Heart of Tao. which he continued to use], Ten Chi of the Brilliant € 16,900-22,600 US$ 19,800-26,400
Studio”.
FINE JAPANESE ART 75