Vintage Japanese Shikishi – Ink Painting of Crabs and Floating Leaves (Showa Era)

Delicate Japanese ink painting (sumi‑e) on traditional shikishi board (24×27 cm) depicting a lively group of crabs among drifting leaves.
The work carries the artist’s red seal reading “Hō” (宝 – Treasure) – likely an art name (gō) used by the painter.

Crabs in Japanese art often symbolize tenacity, adaptability, and the cycles of nature – they move sideways, yet always find their way. The gently floating autumn leaves suggest the passing of seasons and the transient beauty celebrated in wabi‑sabi aesthetics. Together, these motifs form a subtle reflection on resilience and change.

This piece shows the refined Shijō / Kyoto School influence: fluid brush lines, soft washes for the shells, and playful composition that captures movement in just a few strokes.

Painted on classic gold‑rimmed shikishi board, common in the mid‑Showa period (1940s‑70s). Minor age spots attest to its vintage character, but the image remains fresh and vibrant.

A charming addition for collectors of nihonga, sumi‑e and Japanese animal paintings.

Secure shipping from Latvia (Riga Gallery of Japanese Art – CloudyYokomido).

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