This exquisite hand-painted artwork originates from Japan, dating to the early Showa period (1926–1940), and represents a sophisticated 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 masterful use of atmospheric ink washes and delicate mineral pigments to create a scene of profound rural tranquility.
The visual narrative centers on a traditional thatched-roof cottage nestled within a lush grove of trees on a rocky hillside. To the left, a gentle mountain stream cascades over rocks, its movement captured with fine, rhythmic brushstrokes. The mid-ground is filled with dense foliage featuring soft green washes and hints of autumnal rust-colored leaves, while a simple brush fence suggests a tended garden. In the background, two prominent mountain peaks rise through a thick blanket of morning mist, rendered with hazy, receding ink tones. The entire scene is set against a shimmering, natural silk ground, featuring a radiant application of gold leaf speckling (sunago) across the lower foreground that suggests the first light of day hitting the moist earth.