Hand-painted Japanese Shikishi – “Snail and Haiku by Shiki” (from the Ikkū Collection)

This original shikishi presents a playful yet meditative brush painting of a snail, captured in just a few bold ink strokes. Beside the image, the artist inscribed a haiku by Masaoka Shiki (1867–1902) – one of Japan’s four great haiku masters (together with Bashō, Buson, and Issa):

“Snail—
tempting the clouds and rain,
with the tips of its horns.”

The poem is signed Shiki-ku – literally “a verse by Shiki” – which confirms the source.

Signed by the painter Ikkū – meaning “One Sky” – and stamped with his red seal, this shikishi merges art and poetry in the tradition of haiga.

Painted in the post-war Shōwa period (1950–80s), it belongs to the Ikkū Collection – a series of shikishi celebrating nature and classical Japanese poetry.

– Era: Shōwa (1950–80s)
– Style: Haiga (haiku painting) / Nihonga ink work
– Material: Ink on shikishi board
– Size: approx. 24×27 cm
– Condition: Vintage with minor signs of age

Safe and tracked shipping from Latvia (Riga Gallery of Japanese Art – CloudyYokomido).


For US buyers: this item enters the United States duty-free.