13th Jun, 2025 10:00
Fine Japanese Art
296
AN IMPRESSIVE PAIR OF SIX-PANEL BYOBU (FOLDING SCREENS) DEPICTING A VIEW OF MOUNT FUJI FROM THE TOKAIDO ROAD IN SHIZUOKA
€10,000
€20,000
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
Japan, early 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Ink, watercolors, gold, and gold leaf on paper. Each mounted on silk brocade on six wood panels with metal fittings. Finely painted to the first panel to depict an imposing view of the snow-capped Mount Fuji, with several mountain peaks peeking through the thicket of the clouds. The banks of the lake with figures on horseback, travelers, thatched huts, scholars outside a pavilion, and grazing horses under pines. The second panel depicting a bridge over the lake, fishermen and boats in the calm blue waters, and several figures like travelers, merchants, traders, and locals undertaking domestic activities. The view of the valley is partially obscured by large scrolling clouds in gold.
SIZE 167.5 x 376 cm (each)
Condition: Good condition with wear and well-preserved, vibrant colors. Some soiling and flaking to pigment. Small losses, some with associated repairs and touchups. The back with traces of wear and use. The present screens were repaired in the middle of the Edo period and first period of Meiji, where several stiffening papers were discovered in the lining, including one dated to 14 January 1672. Further documented repairs were carried out by Seigada Co., Tokyo, in 1957, and once more in 1961.
Provenance: For a member of the Shizuoka Daimyo, later presented to a reputable merchant family in Iwahana. Ex-collection Kinichiro Akiike, Japan, acquired from the above by repute. The collection of Ralph L. Cheek, USA, acquired from the above in May 1967. A copy of the invoice, addressed to Mr. R.L. Cheek, dated May 1967, accompanies the lot. Copies of provenance statements, written by Kinichiro Akiike and Ralph L. Cheek, accompany the lot. Kinichiro Akiike was the president of a Kanebo Silk subsidiary and was the Director and Chief of Budget for the Gunma Prefecture Cultural Project Association and member of the Takasaki Cultural Assets Special Committee. His art collection, which Ralph L. Cheek was privy to on a visit to his home in Gunma included the present pair of byobu and over 80 Buddhas which he acquired from old temples. Ralph L. Cheek was Kaiser Aluminum's Technical Advisor to SKY Aluminium, a joint venture of Showa Denko, Kaiser and Yawata Steel, to build an aluminum rolling mill in Fukaya, Saitama, from March 1965 to December 1968.
Furthermore, three copies of appraisals accompany this lot:
1. Japan Antique Export Association, Tokyo, on 27 December 1967, certificate no. 1770, at JPY 2,000,000 or approx. EUR 52,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing.
2. The Daibutsu: Chinese and Japanese Art, on 23 February 1983, at USD 40,000 or approx. EUR 115,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing. The appraisal notes “the screens has (sic) been attributed to be by “Iwasa Matabei”, 1578-1640 A.D. Attributed by Takasaki Cultural Assets Special Committee. The dating does coincide with the period of the screens.”
3. Sotheby’s, in 1990, estimated at USD 20-30,000 or approx. EUR 42,000-64,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing.
Museum comparison:
Compare a related pair of byobu screens depicting Kogo and The Imperial Procession to Ohara, from The Tale of the Heike, unsigned, early 17th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 2015.300.102.1, .2.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related single byobu six-fold screen depicting Mount Fuji, unsigned, 17th century, at Christie’s, Art d'Asie, 12 June 2019, Paris, lot 85 (sold for EUR 16,250).
Japan, early 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Ink, watercolors, gold, and gold leaf on paper. Each mounted on silk brocade on six wood panels with metal fittings. Finely painted to the first panel to depict an imposing view of the snow-capped Mount Fuji, with several mountain peaks peeking through the thicket of the clouds. The banks of the lake with figures on horseback, travelers, thatched huts, scholars outside a pavilion, and grazing horses under pines. The second panel depicting a bridge over the lake, fishermen and boats in the calm blue waters, and several figures like travelers, merchants, traders, and locals undertaking domestic activities. The view of the valley is partially obscured by large scrolling clouds in gold.
SIZE 167.5 x 376 cm (each)
Condition: Good condition with wear and well-preserved, vibrant colors. Some soiling and flaking to pigment. Small losses, some with associated repairs and touchups. The back with traces of wear and use. The present screens were repaired in the middle of the Edo period and first period of Meiji, where several stiffening papers were discovered in the lining, including one dated to 14 January 1672. Further documented repairs were carried out by Seigada Co., Tokyo, in 1957, and once more in 1961.
Provenance: For a member of the Shizuoka Daimyo, later presented to a reputable merchant family in Iwahana. Ex-collection Kinichiro Akiike, Japan, acquired from the above by repute. The collection of Ralph L. Cheek, USA, acquired from the above in May 1967. A copy of the invoice, addressed to Mr. R.L. Cheek, dated May 1967, accompanies the lot. Copies of provenance statements, written by Kinichiro Akiike and Ralph L. Cheek, accompany the lot. Kinichiro Akiike was the president of a Kanebo Silk subsidiary and was the Director and Chief of Budget for the Gunma Prefecture Cultural Project Association and member of the Takasaki Cultural Assets Special Committee. His art collection, which Ralph L. Cheek was privy to on a visit to his home in Gunma included the present pair of byobu and over 80 Buddhas which he acquired from old temples. Ralph L. Cheek was Kaiser Aluminum's Technical Advisor to SKY Aluminium, a joint venture of Showa Denko, Kaiser and Yawata Steel, to build an aluminum rolling mill in Fukaya, Saitama, from March 1965 to December 1968.
Furthermore, three copies of appraisals accompany this lot:
1. Japan Antique Export Association, Tokyo, on 27 December 1967, certificate no. 1770, at JPY 2,000,000 or approx. EUR 52,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing.
2. The Daibutsu: Chinese and Japanese Art, on 23 February 1983, at USD 40,000 or approx. EUR 115,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing. The appraisal notes “the screens has (sic) been attributed to be by “Iwasa Matabei”, 1578-1640 A.D. Attributed by Takasaki Cultural Assets Special Committee. The dating does coincide with the period of the screens.”
3. Sotheby’s, in 1990, estimated at USD 20-30,000 or approx. EUR 42,000-64,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing.
Museum comparison:
Compare a related pair of byobu screens depicting Kogo and The Imperial Procession to Ohara, from The Tale of the Heike, unsigned, early 17th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 2015.300.102.1, .2.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related single byobu six-fold screen depicting Mount Fuji, unsigned, 17th century, at Christie’s, Art d'Asie, 12 June 2019, Paris, lot 85 (sold for EUR 16,250).
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Auction: Fine Japanese Art, 13th Jun, 2025
Galerie Zacke is delighted to present Fine Japanese Art, a live auction featuring 600 lots spanning every era of Japan’s rich history.
The first 368 lots are elegantly showcased in our print catalog, curated to highlight Arts of the Samurai, Metalwork, Buddhist Art, Lacquerware, Porcelain, and Paintings & Woodblock Prints. Lots 369 to 600 are in our online catalog, dedicated to okimono, sagemono, and miniature works of art.
All 600 lots will be offered in a single continuous live auction beginning at 10 AM CET on 13 June.
We open with a dynamic selection of bronzes, metalwork, and samurai art. Notable highlights include a rare inlaid iron koro by Myochin Munenori (Lot 48), an impressive Myochin school suit of armor (Lot 108), and a superb tanto by Kunishige (Lot 120).
Our Buddhist Art section features incredible pieces such as a gilt-bronze figure of Jizo Bosatsu (Lot 150) and a large gilt-lacquered wood depiction of Kanzan and Jittoku (Lot 157).
We warmly invite you to explore the full catalog and join us live on 13 June for this exciting event. Learn more.
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