Artist Unknown 作者不詳 Shōki on a Horse
Muromachi period (1333-1573), early/mid-16th centuryKakejiku (hanging scroll), ink and gold wash on paper in silk mounts, depicting an animated portrayal of Shōki the Demon-Hunter with his characteristic quizzically ferocious expression, mounted on a prancing steed, brandishing his sword, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat; ivory jiku (roller ends)Seal at lower left possibly reading Sōkei 宗継Modern wood storage box Overall: 166.2cm x 56.4cm (65?in x 22?in); Image: 82cm x 41cm (32?in x 16 1/8in) (2).
注脚
For other paintings of Shōki from the early/mid-sixteenth century, see Tōkyō 1974, cat. nos. 29, by Sesson and 56, signed Sekkei 石継. The seal on the present scroll possibly reads Sōkei, the name of Oguri Sōkei, a shogunal artist active at the end of the fifteenth century (Tokyo 1987, cat. no. 50). Since he is not recorded as having executed any figure subjects, the authorship of this remarkably powerful scroll must await further research.Please note that the jiku (roller ends) are made of ivory, the import of which is banned in the USA and China; additionally, from 1 January 2021 this lot will require a CITES permit for export to all other destinations outside of the UK. Should you wish, the Japanese Department can arrange for the jiku to be professionally removed at an additional cost.