This shikishi print of Kawabata Ryūshi (川端龍子, 1885–1966). He was a Japanese Nihonga painter known for his bold compositions, dynamic brushwork, and innovative approach to traditional Japanese painting. Initially influenced by Western-style painting, he later embraced Nihonga, blending its techniques with a modern sensibility. In 1929, he founded the Seiryūsha group, challenging conventional Nihonga aesthetics with large-scale, powerful works that emphasized movement and emotion.
This shikishi card present one of his notable artworks, "Aizen" (愛染), reflects his signature style, combining rich colors, strong lines, and a sense of spiritual intensity. This work was exhibited at the 2nd Spring Blue Dragon Exhibition in 1934. "Aizen" means to love and to be attached, as well as lust and worldly desires, but in this work it expresses the delicate affection between a husband and wife. Crimson leaves are piled up all over the surface of a clear, ultramarine pond, and a pair of mandarin ducks swim in it, leaving vivid traces of waves. The two birds seek each other, and when they pass each other, they turn around and look at each other with loving eyes. You will notice that the lingering feeling of love is floating in the air in this moment.
This is a masterpiece that beautifully combines decorativeness and realism with its contrast of crimson and ultramarine colors, the ingenious composition of the semicircular wave marks, and the symbolic use of the frontal depiction of the maple leaves.
Size: 24 x 27cm
