Width: 101cms
Height: 77cms
Date: Circa 1880
£POA - What does POA mean?
Product Code: KPHA21
Simply put, POA stands for “Price on Application”.
With some of our pieces, we prefer not to openly publish our asking price. We absolutely welcome visitors to the website to contact us to enquire about the cost of such pieces.
We just prefer to have a conversation to allow us to explain the pricing as well as to talk in more detail about the piece in question.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a super expensive piece but it may just be that there is something unique or special that we would like to be able to tell you about in more detail.
Contact us to find out more.
An amusing and unique pair of Japanese Oshi-e panels depicting humorous processions of anthropomorphic frogs and insects.
The panels are not the same size but are by the same artist or workshop and are framed in a similar manner. Both feature a superb level of detail and skill.
The longer of the two depicts a jolly procession of insects marching past mount fuji under a glittering sky, it includes crickets, grasshoppers and praying mantis. They appear to be on their way to a feast or perhaps a wedding, standard bearers at the front and back can bee see waving wild flowers, while smaller crickets carry a lotus seed pod and fruits, a small insect is being transported in a litter perhaps they are the bride or hold an important rank within the group.
The other depicts a battalion of frogs marching with grass seed heads, they are lead by two frogs playing leaf trumpets as another two beat lotus pod drums, mounted riders, a fruit bomb and a canon made of an elongated seedpod bring up the rear.
Grasshopper/Cricket
The grasshopper or cricket is a symbol of good luck in Japan. Chinese noblemen introduced the practice of keeping a cricket or grasshopper in a cage to enjoy it’s signing to Japan. They are still kept as pets today and good luck symbols in the shape of a cricket are popular gifts. Grasshoppers and crickets are also a source of food in Japan you can find them at street food stalls and in restaurants.
Praying Mantis
Around the world the praying mantis is seen as a symbol of stillness and meditation, due tot their hunting style which sees them stationary for long periods of time. In Japan they represent strength, courage and boldness as well as fool hardiness due to their habit of attaching prey much larger than themselves.
Frog
In Japan, the frog is usually seen as a symbol of good fortune associated with magical powers. Because the Japanese word for frog is “kaeru”, which is pronounced in the same way as “return”, travelers carry a small frog amulet with the intent of returning safely home.
Anthropomorphism in Japan
Japan has a long history of anthropomorphizing animals and objects, it is an essential concept of the Shinto religion, Shintoists believe that everything, be it living or not, has a spirit. Japanese folklore features many tales of animals transforming into people and of objects being neglected and taking on a life of their own to haunt their owner.
Some of the very earliest depictions of anthropomorphism in Japan are the ‘scrolls of frolicking humans and animals’ they date back to the 12th/13th centuries and show many different animals including monkeys, frogs and rabbits doing human activities. These subjects are very widespread in all forms of Japanese art and lend themselves to humorous depiction, which is the key to their longstanding appeal.
Oshi-e
Oshi-e is a Japanese handicraft that became popular in the Edo period, it means ‘pressed picture’ it is made by folding and pressing scraps of kimono cloth and washi paper to create an image. It is still a popular craft today with everything from masters creating complex scenes to do it yourself kits available for having a go at home.
We completely understand that purchasing art and antiques online is a relatively new concept to many people, so our team will be very happy to provide additional information and support along the way.
We are members of BADA, LAPADA and CINOA, working closely with these associations and we are very proud of our reputation as one of the most established, valued and trusted dealers of Japanese and Chinese Art and Antiques in the industry.
Our galleries in Islington are open Monday through to Saturday (from 1030 to 1630) by appointment only. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
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