Lot 383: SENGAI GIBON (1750-1837) Edo period (1615-1868),

SENGAI GIBON (1750-1837) Edo period (1615-1868), late 18th century/early 19th century Kakejiku (vertical hanging scroll), ink on paper, depicting three hikyaku (couriers) all wearing a fundoshi (loincloth) and rushing to cross the river, one carrying a courier box on his back, a three-line inscription of the Analects of Confucius (in Japanese, Koshi; 551-479 BC) above, reading Shi senjo ni arite iwaku, ikumono wa kakuno gotokikana chuya o okazu (Confucius, standing on the river bank said ‘Time goes on like this river flowing away endlessly day and night’), followed by a two-line inscription by Sengai (Even a river can be stopped in its flow but stopping the hayabikyaku [express courier] is not possible), signed Gai[...] with two seals, one reading Sengai; with wood storage box. 128.5cm x 54.2cm (50½in x 21 3/8in). (2).