Lot 399. Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), Meiji era (1868-1912), circa 1870-1890. The mount by Shoji Chikushin (1854-1936) and the jiku(rollers) by Shoji Hoshin (1898-1993), both Showa era (1926-1989), circa 1930, Kakejiku (vertical hanging scroll), ink, colours and gold on silk, depicting Lady Murasaki Shikibu, author of Genji monogatari (The Tale of Genji), seated at a desk with paper, writing set and incense burner, composing her great novel, signed Zeshin with pot-shaped seal Zeshin; the mount painted in ink and mineral colours with maple leaves and autumn plants, signed Chikushinwith seal Yukei; the lacquered jiku (rollers) decorated with maple leaves, signed Hoshin; accompanied by three documents: a certificate by Ikeda Shinsai (dates unknown) dated 18 December 1892; a certificate by Shoji Chikushin dated Taisho hino-e-tora chushun(February 1926); and an exhibition slip documenting that the two paintings were owned at one time by Mr Kubota Yahei; also with wood tomobako inscribed outside Migi Sei Shonagon hidari Murasaki Shikibu sofuku 右清少納言左紫式部双幅 (Pair of scrolls, the right-hand scroll Seishonagon, the left-hand scroll Murasaki Shikibu), inscribed inside Senshi Zeshin-o hitsu Oshin kan 先師是真翁筆応真鑑 (Certified by Oshin as the work of my master Zeshin) with two seals, the second Oshin 応真. Overall 219cm x 57.4cm (6¼in x 22 5/8in); image 119cm x 41.6cm (48 7/8in x 16 3/8in). (6). Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 (€19,000 - 25,000). Photo: Bonhams.

Provenance: Kubota Yahei collection.
The Hasegawa Family

Published: Tokyo Bijutsu Kurabu 東京美術倶楽部 (Tokyo Art Club), Hasegawa-ke shozohin nyusatsu 長谷川家所蔵品入札 (Auction Catalogue of the Hasegawa Collection), Tokyo, 21 September 1925, lot no.70.

Note: At the time of its sale in 1925 (documented above), this scroll was still accompanied by another scroll (since lost) depicting Sei Shonagon and was in different mounts from the present elaborately painted set, which must have been prepared by Shoji Chikushin and Shoji Hoshin shortly thereafter.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23269: FINE JAPANESE ART, 11:00 BST - LONDON, NEW BOND STREET