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Nukina Kaioku (Sûô) (1778-1863)
Nanga
Set of 5 decorated white china haku Nanking myôwan, tea cups - Loose verses written down with a hurried match
Signed: Sûô sha, Sûô dai
Seals:
Technique: White Nanking porcelain with coloured overglaze decorations Ø 8,1 x 4
Date: 1846, 7th month
Box: inscribed in 1846
Condition: some light hairlines in one cup, otherwise very good

Loose verses:
瑞雲生這雪 This snow comes from benevolent clouds
幽光在君子 Sedimented light envelops the "noble man"
老圃在仙果 The fruit of immortality [Peach] is located in the old orchard
明月清溪來 Full moon came to the clear stream
以善唾横行 Spread the good in all directions

Kaioku was born as the second son of a martial arts teacher in the service of the Hachisuka domain in Awa Province. Although he was educated in the family tradition of martial arts, his weak constitution allowed him to follow Confucian studies, poetry and calligraphy.

He chose to be a Confucian scholar for which he studied in several parts of Japan for many years of his life. For three years he studied calligraphy. He copied the style of the 9th century monk Kôbô Daishi permanently and mastered all the styles of calligraphy. Kaioku is considered one of the greatest calligraphers of the late Edo period and one of the most celebrated bunjin artists in Kyoto after the death of San'yô. After a brief training in Kanô painting he went to Nagasaki to study Nanga painting under the Zen-monk Hidaka Tetsuô (1791-1871).

In each of the editions of the Heian Jinbutsu shi from 1813 until 1852 Kaioku is mentioned twice as a poet as well as a calligrapher. In 1811 he settled in Kyoto where in 1828 he finally established the Suseidô, his own school.

Reference:
Rosenfield B.68
Berry & Morioka ’08 p. 287-88
Hempel p. 165
Roberts p. 64
Araki p. 1580 ff.
Kato '98 (Chapter 1) # 94-102

Price: ON REQUEST