Description

司馬江漢 Shiba Kokan (1747-1818) Japanese antique art kakejiku kakemono wall hanging scroll / Autumn Village Scenery by Stream with Appraised Double Box RE204

This scroll comes with an appraisal box by 'Sumisakagosya Mikito' 墨坂郷舎 美鬼洞 in 1981.

司馬江漢 Shiba Kokan (1747-1818)
Western-style painter of the late Edo period. Dutch scholar. A thinker. He first studied the Kano school, then ukiyoe (under the name Suzuki Harushige) and Nanpohin school, and later became friends with Hiraga Gennai and became interested in Western painting. He painted Japanese landscapes in oil. In 1783, he succeeded in etching (copperplate engraving) for the first time in Japan. He established the Western method of painting Japanese landscapes. He also worked to introduce natural science, such as the geocentric theory, and excelled at writing essays.

with signature 'Kokan Shiba Shun sha' 江漢司馬峻 写 S.kokan

This hanging scroll attributed to Shiba Kokan (1747–1818) depicts a tranquil autumn scene in a mountain village, rendered with delicate brushwork and a keen sense of seasonal atmosphere. In the foreground, a figure dressed in traditional attire carries a child on their back—an intimate moment of caregiving that evokes the quiet rhythms of rural life. The ground is grassy, not bare, and the figure wears footwear, suggesting a practical journey rather than hardship. Bundles of straw hang from tall bamboo poles, indicating agricultural activity typical of upland communities. A simple wooden bridge spans the stream, and a suspended basket hints at local craft or utility. The warm tones of the foliage and the bare trees frame the composition in a gentle embrace of early autumn. The scroll bears the signature “S.kokan”, a Romanized form of “Kokan Shiba Shun sha” (江漢司馬峻 写), reflecting the artist’s engagement with Western techniques and his role in introducing copperplate etching and oil painting to Japan. It is housed in a double box, with the outer box inscribed in 1981 by Sumisakagosha Mikito (墨坂郷舎 美鬼洞), as noted on the lid. This inscription adds a layer of documentation and care to the work’s preservation, complementing its historical and aesthetic significance.

Whole dimensions: 20.5" W x 76.1" H / 52.3cm x 193.5cm
Inside dimensions: 13.1" W x 37.6" H / 33.5cm x 95.6cm

Material: Silk
Technique: Handpainted
Roller ends: Bone (DAMAGE)

Weight: 1350g including Appraised Double Box

Condition

Antique items have originally crease, stain, damage, and more. I would like you to refer to the listing photos, but please understand that it's difficult to show all conditions by the photos. Special notes: STAIN a little, CREASE a little, DAMAGE a little, WARP, STAIN in the back of the mounting.

About the colors of the photos

The color of the actual item may look different from the picture because of the lighting. The color on a photo can differ because of light, screen settings, personal color perception, etc. Please understand that we can't control the varying light in different environments. Please read the description, check the actual photos, and ask questions if doubts in advance.

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