Nihonga bunjin
Lonely treeSigned: Shikai sei..
Seals: Shikai
Technique: sumi and a little pink on paper 32.8 x 44.3
Date: c. 1930
Mounting: grey damask 115.5 x 56.3
Box: signed
Condition: some foxing otherwise very good
Shikai was born in Tsukushi, Fukuoka Prefecture. Haizan Yoshitsugu (1846-1915) was his teacher. His style is sometimes compared to that of Tanomura Chikuden (1777-1835).
Irie Shikai is generally considered to have belonged to the group of painters that is now often referred to as "New Nanga". A better-known representative is his contemporary Fukuda Kodôjin (1865-1944). The "New Nanga" painters did not submit paintings to the well-known government exhibitions, but they went their own individual ways.
Irie Shikai is known to have been involved with the ultranationalist politician Mitsuru Tôyama (1855-1944), but this involvement was fairly short-lived and he soon returned to painting and calligraphy.
Reference:
Berry ‘01 # 61
Berry ‘08 p. 256
Price: ON REQUEST
