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This is one of the Otani Koen(1875-1943)'s works and he is known with the name of "Otani Kubutsu" which is his pen name in the Haiku world.
Kubutsu was a high priest of Jodo Shin sect and was the 23rd superintendent of Higash-honganji temple.
His ability as a person of culture was exemplified in his various works such as Nihonga (Japanese-style paintings) learned from Ko-no Bairei and Takeuchi Seiho and Haiku influenced by Masaoka Shiki, i Kawahigashi Hekigoto, and Takahama Kyoshi.
His " Haiga" which is composed of a picture and Haiku has unique structural sense with simple motif and soft, gentle lines.
Generally, his works are simple, but variety of his art skills can be seen. Therefore, many people have easily enjoyed his works with the profound meaning of them.
Motif of this work is "ume"(Japanese apricot). Since the Nara period, Japanese apricot was frequently used as one of the gifts or bringer of good luck, or used for the subjects of paintings or decorations of festivities.
Because this is the first blooming flower among well-known beautiful flowers such as a cherry blossom after severe winter, Japanese has loved it.
Although it is simple motif, Kubutsu's high art skill is clearly shown in this work because branches of ume were one of the distinctive and decorative subjects of paintings of Rimpa School which is one of the major historical schools of Japanese decorative painting in the 17th century.
Since he thought highly of the lightness of the whole paintings' structure, he only depicted a tip of the trunk and never produced complicated works.
Haiku related to this paint is written at the upper left side of the image, and the artist's signature and his seal are shown below the Haiku.
There is "Tomobako" which is an autograph or note of authentication written on a box containing an art work on the back of the lid of this scroll box.
Fine color Slightly soiled all over the scroll
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