263 - TANI BUNJI: A FINE HANGING SCROLL PAINTING OF A CRANE ABOVE WAVES BENEATH THE RISING SUN

TANI BUNJI: A FINE HANGING SCROLL PAINTING OF A CRANE ABOVE WAVES BENEATH THE RISING SUN By Tani Bunji (1812-1850), signed Bunji ga and sealed Fujiwara Yoshinori Masawara Japan, first half of the 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Ink, watercolor, and gouache on silk. Mounted as a hanging scroll with fine silk brocade and damask, and fitted with ivory jikusaki (roller ends). The exceptionally fine mounting features a broad border of lustrous gold brocade woven with repeating floral medallions, framing the painting within narrow bands of dark floral brocade, complemented by pale gray silk damask panels with subtly woven geometric patterns and a pair of decorative brocade futai (hanging wind bands). Finely painted with a magnificent red-crowned crane swooping above turbulent waves, its broad wings dramatically outstretched, the long tail feathers and slender legs trailing behind. The bird's elegant plumage is meticulously rendered in delicate shades of white, gray, and black, with individually delineated feathers and finely detailed wing tips. Its gracefully curved neck and sharply pointed beak lend a remarkable sense of movement to the composition. The crane is depicted beneath a brilliant vermilion sun against a striking deep blue sky, contrasting with the densely rendered waves below, their rhythmic swells and curling, foaming crests finely outlined in ink and delicately shaded in muted tones of brown and gold. Inscriptions: Signed to the lower left 文二畫 Bunji ga [Painted by Bunji] and sealed 藤原義宣正童 Fujiwara Yoshinori Masawara. The tomobako lid inscribed 谷文二波鶴 Tani Bunji nami ni tsuru [Painting of cranes over waves, Tani Bunji]. A paper label on the side of the tomobako inscribed 文二波鶴 Bunji nami ni tsuru [Painting of cranes over waves, Bunji]. Image SIZE 121.5 x 52.3 cm, SIZE incl. mounting 204.5 x 73.6 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and beautifully fresh colors. Very light creasing, minor discoloration, and faint staining to the blue ground. Important notice: Please note that we will need to remove the ivory roller ends before shipping / handing over the item. The roller ends are not part of this offer. With an inscribed wood tomobako (storage box). Tani Bunji (1812-1850) was born in Edo and studied painting under his father, the celebrated Tani Buncho (1763-1841), one of the foremost painters of the late Edo period. As Buncho's eldest son, he was regarded as his successor and inherited the leadership of the family's influential Shazanro painting studio following his father's death. His promising career was cut short by his untimely death in 1850, at the age of only 39 by traditional Japanese reckoning. The present work is a particularly striking example of the auspicious crane-and-sun motif, the crane symbolizing longevity and good fortune, while the rising sun evokes renewal and prosperity. The dramatic contrast between the delicately painted bird, brilliant vermilion sun, and densely worked waves is beautifully complemented by the exceptionally fine silk brocade mounting.