Kakejiku - Hawk by Tokugawa Nariaki

[Okan]

Hi all, 

 

I would like to share something interesting and rather unique: a scroll painting attributed to Tokugawa Nariaki, daimyō of the Mito Domain and father of the last shōgun.

 

Hakogaki:

 

Master Ishikawa Shichirōbei Noriyasu comes from a family whose hereditary profession is falconry, and he is extraordinarily accomplished in this art.

Because Lord Takeo [Tokugawa Nariaki] favored hawks and held hawk-matching displays, he routinely summoned Noriyasu to serve him. On one such occasion, His Lordship personally painted this single sheet [of silk] with his own hand and bestowed it upon him.

This took place back in the 6th year of Bunsei [1823]. Recently, because the master [Noriyasu] wished to mount it as a hanging scroll to display upon the wall as a family treasure, I have recorded these circumstances here as he requested.

Date: An auspicious morning in the 2nd month, 12th year of Bunsei, Year of the Ox [1829]

Written by: Yoshida Noriyo

 

Origami:

 

From the brush of Mito Keizan [Tokugawa Nariaki]

Painting of a Hawk; color on silk.

The above work is an authentic original

Without the slightest doubt; full of vivid life/vitality

The overall composition (kamae) is seen to be of high elegance/superior quality.

Written by Hiraki Kiyomitsu in a Spring month (Year of the Snake)

 

Enjoy! 

 

From the catalogue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

All the seals and different names of Nariaki: 

 

 

 

 

[Matsunoki]

Beautiful, what else can you say, really beautiful.

[eternal_newbie]

I like the subtle shadowing behind the hawk that makes it look like that part of the painting is floating over the canvas.

[Matsunoki]

Okan

is the “silk” brocade stand hanging actually embroidered or stitched in some way. Parts look 3D and I have never seen that on a scroll

[Lewis B]

Beautifully observed. 

[Okan]

2 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

Okan

is the “silk” brocade stand hanging actually embroidered or stitched in some way. Parts look 3D and I have never seen that on a scroll

 

That’s actually what I thought when I first saw it, but no, it’s just a few layers of paint… I guess he tried to create the effect of embroidery.

[Dereks]

Amazing find! Beauty! 

[Toryu2020]

Nice!