Description

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 combination of ink wash and gold leaf accents that capture a moment of daily life in a coastal village.

The visual narrative is a serene scene of fishermen on a calm bay. In the foreground, a fisherman in a traditional wide-brimmed hat guides a small wooden boat through reeds, while another vessel glides in the distance toward a misty mountain peak. Two prominent, gnarled pine trees anchor the right side of the composition, their branches textured with fine ink strokes and subtle green washes. A traditional thatched-roof cottage is nestled among the windswept grasses on the left. The entire scene is set against a shimmering, natural silk ground, featuring a radiant application of gold leaf flakes (sunago) that suggests the sun's reflection on the water and a hazy, light-filled atmosphere.

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