Maekawa Bunrei (1837-1917), Four Seasons and Moon (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter), Set of Four Japanese Hanging Scrolls, Meiji Period

Art work details

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This work is a set of four hanging scrolls depicting the distinctive beauty and atmosphere of the moon in each of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

The Spring Moon is a soft, hazy moon veiled in the mist of spring. The Summer Moon evokes a refreshing sense of coolness amid the summer heat. The Autumn Moon shines brightly in a clear, cloudless sky, while the Winter Moon appears crisp and brilliantly luminous against the cold, crystal-clear winter sky.

By painting on traditional Japanese washi paper, the artist has achieved a richer and more expressive bleeding effect of the ink.

These four hanging scrolls do not necessarily have to be displayed together. Each can be appreciated individually.

For example, displaying the Spring Moon on the left and the Autumn Moon on the right, as viewed from the front, symbolizes “the entire year.” In a traditional arrangement of a pair of hanging scrolls, the artist's seals are generally positioned toward the outer edges.

Alternatively, displaying the Winter Moon during the hot summer months can be interpreted as a way of “inviting a sense of coolness.”

The patterns on the inner fabric of the scroll mountings are also worthy of attention.

Each season features its own embroidered motifs: rabbits for spring, fireflies resting on grass for summer, insects such as dragonflies and crickets for autumn, and wave patterns for winter.

These motifs subtly suggest a harmonious relationship between the moon and the characteristic sights and symbols of each season.

It is possible that these decorative choices reflect the personal wishes of the individual who originally commissioned the scroll mountings.

We invite you to appreciate the moon of each season in your own way, discovering the unique beauty and poetic atmosphere that each scroll has to offer.
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Setting weight
This piece weighs 3.0 kg.

Material
Ink on paper

Size
Overall: vertical 202 cm (79.53 in) × width 43.6 cm (17.17 in)＊width does not include roller ends.
(the work: vertical 133.5 cm (52.56 in) × width 30.5 cm (12.01 in))

Condition
・There are burns, stains, wrinkles, floats on the Japanese paper on the back of the cover.
・There are some burns, stains, wrinkles on the image.
・There are burns, stains, wrinkles, warp in the mounting.

Remarks
・Roller ends are lacquerware.
・Tomo-Bako.(Box inscription by the artist.)

Materials for mounting
All of them are made of silk.

Other
**There is a note about shipping restrictions and VAT. Please check before purchase.**
*There may be a slight difference in color between the photo and the actual product.

*Notes on Shipping

(Especially for Customers in Italy)
We generally ship by EMS from Japan.

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Biography

Maekawa Bunrei (1837-1917) 

Born in Kyoto in 1837.
Son of Maekawa Gorei (a pupil of Matsumura Keibun, a painter of the Maruyama-Shijo school).
His family name was Shishu. Studied painting under his father and excelled in flower and bird painting.
He died in 1917 at the age of 81.