Lot 267: Suzuki Kiitsu (1796-1858) Rinpa School, early 19th century

Rinpa School, early 19th century
Kakejiku, a pair of scrolls, in ink, colour and gold on silk, the right scroll depicting tall flowering stalks of blue and white irises and a bud, signed Seisei Kiitsu with seal Shukurinsai; the left depicting large flowering white peonies and a bud, the leaves rendered in the tarashikomi technique, signed Seisei Kiitsu with seal Motonaga, with wood box, the inside of the lid dated and signed by most probably the artist and art valuer Takamori Saigan, Mizunoto-mi kugatsu jyokan Saigan ushi daibako (In the beginning of September in the year of Snake [1893], Saigan, titled by a man who is not familiar with worldly affairs) with two seals. Each approx. 111cm x 49.5cm (43¾in x 19½in). (3).

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The son of a dyer, Kiitsu was born in Omi Province and moved to Edo. He was the favourite disciple of Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1829) and married the elder sister of a fellow student of Hoitsu, Suzuki Reitan (1782-1817). When Reitan died, Kiitsu became head of the Suzuki family. Kiitsu specialized in paintings of figures as well as birds and flowers; he was also known as an accomplished haiku poet and a master of geino practised by members of the nobility.

Takamori Saigan (1847-1917) was a renowned Southern Song painter. Born in Kazusa Province (modern Chiba Prefecture), he studied Confucianism in Edo and studied painting under Yamamoto Kinkoku (1811-1873) who was a prominent pupil of Watanabe Kazan (1793-1841). Saigan stands out especially in paintings of landscapes and flowers-and-birds. It is believed that he was influenced also by Yosa Buson (1716-1784). He was a member of the Japan Art Association.