Japanese Edo Six Panel Screen Yoshitsune and Benkei

Description

Spectacular 19th century Japanese late Edo period six-panel byobu screen depicting Yoshitsune and Benkei, two heroes of Japanese folklore. Crafted … more Spectacular 19th century Japanese late Edo period six-panel byobu screen depicting Yoshitsune and Benkei, two heroes of Japanese folklore. Crafted in ink and natural color pigments on mulberry paper with thick gold leaf borders on each panel. The character Yoshitsune is seated under a blossoming cherry tree in full armor holding a fan. The warrior priest or monk Benkei is depicted kneeling on a leopard skin rug inscribing a poem on a wooden signboard while a third warrior watches on the right side. Signed with a seal on the right side Sekko/Setsuko-hitsu. The seal reads Toso. The painting is set in an ebonized wood frame with a silk border.
Provenance; Bonhams N.Y. 3-19-09 estate of Liza Hyde lot 198.

Dimensions: 139.5"w x .50"d x 66"h

Circa: 19th Century, Japan

Materials: Paper, Wood, Gold Leaf, Silk, Brass

Condition: Fair, minor wear consistent with age and use. Repaired: Old repairs. Shows beautifully with old repairs. Age appropriate wear with stains on silk border and loss at one joint as seen in photos. Characters appear to have been redone. less