Page 180 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

148 | A VERY LARGE
AND IMPORTANT
PAINTED WOODCUT
PRINT DEPICTING
THE DEATH OF
BUDDHA
(NEHANZU)
Japan, dated 1830 (Bunsei 13th
year), Edo period (1615-1868)

A very large and elaborately crafted
hand-painted woodcut print
depicting Nehanzu (the death of
Buddha Shakyamuni, also known
as paranirvana). The original
woodcut was made by Matsubara
Shogetsu in 1816 and was used as
a template for this massive hand-
colored woodcut print. The coloring
was commissioned by a group
of eight votive donors (identified
by name in an inscription to the
back). The inscription in the lower
center of the painting states that
it is based on a treasure collection
at the San’enji Temple which is
better known as the Zojoji Temple,
the Tokugawa shogunates’ family
temple (Bodaiji in Japanese), Edo
(Tokyo). The two inscriptions in the
back read: “the 16th of the Seventh
month, the year of tiger, in the
13th year of the Bunsei era (1830).
This is for the repose of the soul
of the deceased (tsuizen kuyo in
Japanese), Votive donors’ names
listed: Myorin-in, Keirin-in, Shoken-
in, Keikyo-in, Shojaku-in, Kyosho-in,
Seishin-in, Chigen.”
The work is a masterpiece utilizing
two very different techniques. A
massive (or many) woodblock(s)
was required to craft this print.
There are so many incredibly
detailed figures and inscriptions
that it would be simply impossibly
to do this entirely by hand. The
painting, as well, is of the highest
quality. The painting shows Buddha
in the center surrounded by
beings from all dimensional planes,
rakans, Bodhissatvas, heavenly
beings, figures of the underworld
and animals, all coming together
to mourn Buddha Shakyamuni’s
death.

Painting only SIZE 176.4 x 96.6
cm, With mounting SIZE 250.5 x
126.2 cm
Condition: Very good age-related
condition – minor losses, creases,
fading of colors, staining (as visible
in the images provided). There are
some water stains to the back,
which are not visible in the front as
the painting is backed on paper.
Provenance: Collection of Irene and
Wolfmar Zacken. Preparatory drawing by
Matsubara Shogetsu,
Estimate EUR 12.000,- dated Bunka 13 (1816).
Starting price EUR 6.000,- The original size of the woodcut
print is 177.5 x 98.7 cm.

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