This exquisite hand-painted artwork originates from Japan, dating to the early Showa period (1926–1940), and represents an original design sheet for a traditional sliding door or fusuma. Measuring approximately 11 inches by 13 inches (28 cm x 33 cm), the piece is meticulously rendered on a silk canvas front with a protective paper backing. The artwork is in very good condition, showcasing a sophisticated layering of pigments and metallic leaf characteristic of high-end architectural design.
The visual narrative is a refined exploration of plum blossoms (ume) arranged in elegant horizontal registers. The upper section features a delicate, vine-like band of small white blossoms that stretches across the natural silk ground. Below, a more substantial branch bears larger, stylized blooms in a vibrant palette of cerulean blue, soft purple, and brilliant gold leaf. Each large blossom is detailed with fine, radiating stamens in a warm orange-red, while shimmering silver-grey branches weave between them. The base of the composition is grounded by a dense application of gold speckling (sunago), creating a luminous, textured "earth" that suggests a garden in early spring.