Shibata Zeshin “Tanabata”

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IItem No.
Title	”Tanabata”
Overall size
Artwork size
Artist	Shibata Zeshin(1807~91)
Date Created	19th century
Price	Contuct us.

This is a lacquer painting by Shibata Zeshin (1807-91), a lacquer artist of the late Edo and Meiji periods.
Centering on a lacquer shelf with a wheel, several motifs arranged in a meaningful manner are eye-catching.

First, let’s take a look at the flowers and grasses on the lacquer cabinet.
The flowers are a glabella, golden lace, great burnet, and white bellflower. These are the flowers and grasses of autumn.
The translucent white color of the glauber’s ear and the jewel-like shimmer of the golden lace… show Zeshin’s extraordinary sense and skill in each of the motifs depicted.

The key to deciphering the title of this work lies in the “Kajinoha kazari” placed in front of the lacquer cabinet.
The “Kajinoha kazari” is a well-known motif of Tanabata decoration, in which five-color paper is dressed on a Kaji leaf and tied with red and white threads.
Therefore, this work is thought to have been painted as a Sekku (seasonal festival) painting.
Tanabata, originally an event held on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month (around the middle of August in the present calendar), is a poetic event in early autumn. It is no wonder that autumn grasses are depicted in this work.

The coexistence of a graceful and bold conception with delicate lacquer-work techniques is the very essence of Zeshin’s art!
Just looking at this work is a refreshing experience for the mind.
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Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891) was a lacquer artist and painter born in Edo. He studied maki-e under Koma Kansai from an early age, and further studied under Suzuki Nanreiand Okamoto Toyohiko to master the painting techniques of the Shijo School.
He not only contributed to the modernization of lacquer crafts, but also showed great talent in painting.

As an antique, it may have some scratches or blemishes. We recommend that you visit our store to check the condition.
If you wish, we will send you detailed photos of the item, so please feel free to contact us.