Page 108 - Bonhams Fine Japanese Art London Nov. 2019

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KAWANABE KYOSUI (1868-1935) Kawanabe Kyosui, daughter of Kawanabe Kyosai (see lot 160), excelled
SCENE FROM THE STOREHOUSE OF LOYAL RETAINERS in history painting and played a pioneering role in carving out a space for
Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century female artists in early twentieth-century Japan. The present lot shows
Kakejiku (hanging scroll), ink and colours on silk in silk mounts, depicting Lady Kaono, wife of Lord Asano En’ya, at a meeting convened by the
a scene from Act I of Chushingura (The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers, shogun Ashikaga Takauji’s brother Tadayoshi in order to identify the
see below); signed Kyosui ga (Painted by Kyosui) and sealed. helmet of Nitta Yoshisada, whose revolt against the shogun has just been
Overall: 181.5cm x 54.6cm (71½in x 21½in); crushed with the loss of 47 lives. Faced with a pile of 47 helmets, Lady
image: 130cm × 45.6cm (51¼in × 18in). Kaono correctly picks out Nitta’s, which Takauji plans to install in a shrine
£1,000 - 1,500 dedicated to the war god Hachiman in commemoration of his victory.
JPY130,000 - 200,000 Also present at the meeting are Kira Moronao (the villain of the tale),
Wakasanosuke and her husband Lord Asano.
US$1,200 - 1,900

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
106 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.