Lot 389: HIRAI BAISEN (1889-1969) Taisho (1912-1926) or Sh

HIRAI BAISEN (1889-1969) Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, early/mid 20th century Comprising a set of four and two single kakejiku (vertical hanging scrolls): the set of four ink and colour on silk depicting famous places in Kyoto in the four seasons: the rightmost scroll depicting the Yasaka Pagoda at Hokanji Temple in Higashiyama in spring, the second depicting a lone oarsman on a boat on the Uji River in summer, the third a man paddling a raft on the Hozu River at Arashiyama in autumn, the left-hand scroll depicting a snow-laden bridge and dwellings along Kamo River in winter, all signed Baisen with seal Baisen, all with wood tomobako storage boxes titled, signed and sealed by the artist, with outer lacquered wood boxes, each approx., 121cm x 27cm (47 5/8in x 10¾in); the fifth another hanging scroll, ink and slight colour on paper depicting a man paddling a raft on the Hozu River at Arashiyama, signed Baisen with seal Baisen, with wood tomobako storage box titled, signed and sealed by the artist, 124.5cm x 30.5cm (49in x 12in); the sixth ink and slight color on paper depicting a passenger in a pleasure boat in Arashiyama, signed Baisen with seal Baisen. 37.2cm x 42.2cm (16 5/8in x 14 11/16in). (15).

An important figure in the Kyoto art world, Hirai Baisen graduated from Kyoto Municipal School of Fine Arts and Crafts in 1906 and then studied under the influential painter Takeuchi Seiho (1864-1942). He won a prize at the first national Bunten exhibition in 1907 and showed his work at the Bunten and its successors until 1943.