Washi Collage with Persimmons and Calligraphy — Signed Shikishi by Kasui — Japanese Decorative Art (Shōwa Era)

This elegant shikishi board presents three dried persimmons (hoshigaki), hand-crafted from textured washi paper and suspended on delicate cords. These seasonal fruits, a traditional symbol of autumn and inner transformation, are paired with three colorful paper strips reminiscent of Tanzaku poems. The result is a poetic meditation on time, simplicity, and impermanence.

The inscription reads:
"Smallness is a joy, heading toward emptiness."
— a reflection of Zen Buddhist aesthetics, evoking the wabi-sabi appreciation for humble beauty and transience.

The artwork is executed using a mixed-media washi collage technique (chigiri-e) on speckled shikishi board. The persimmons are built up from torn, hand-dyed fibers layered with delicate precision to create rich texture and soft tonal transitions. The calligraphy is rendered in bold black ink with visible brushstroke texture, giving it a raw, expressive character. The seal in red cinnabar pigment completes the composition with a classical touch.

The red seal reads 霞翠 (Kasui) — “Mist and Jade” — the art-name (gō) of the artist. This piece was created during the late Shōwa era (circa 1970s–1980s), in the tradition of modern Japanese washi art.

Material: Traditional washi on gold-bordered shikishi
Size: Approx. 24×27 cm
Condition: Good vintage condition with foxing typical 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.