Takekawa Tomohiro – 竹川友廣 (1839 – ~Taishō period) – Koi – 鯉

SOLD. -THANK-YOU!

Takekawa-san had the fortune of studying under one of the greatest teachers of the Maruyama-Shijō school, –Shiokawa Bunrin (see also here and here).

A very important teacher (due to his skill and lineage passed down from Shiokawa), Takekawa-san also had many important students, including Tsuda Seifu (who is also held in the British Museum, as well as the Soseki Museum etc.), and Nishikawa Issotei. Also, as evidenced by his contribution to this sofuku (diptych) held in the British Museum, he associated with all of the top Kyoto artists of the day, including Tomioka Tessai.

Records show that he exhibited in exhibition in 1882, and made the official lists of masters in 1891 and 1892. No date of death has surfaced in modern records. A likelihood is that he died during the Spanish Flu pandemic. This piece is an exemplary example of Shijō school koi painting at its finest. The delicate brushwork of ink on silk to create the water alone cannot be replicated by anyone except a highly trained master. The details of the koi are as close to perfect as they come. Upon close inspection one can see the real gold paint used to highlight their eyes. The realistic serenity of this piece is breathtaking. Good normal condition for its age. Approximately 120-140 years old. The hanging and wrapping cord was recently replaced with authentic, imported Japanese hanging scroll cord.

22″ x 73″ – $500 – Price includes shipping worldwide! Comes with a signed and sealed document of authenticity and an email with links to roughly 3 hours worth of further reading and documentary viewing related to the piece. All prices in Canadian dollars.