Antique Edo–Meiji Japanese ink shikishi – layered calligraphy over painted figure

This antique Japanese shikishi (approx. 23 × 29 cm) presents a layered construction typical of the late Edo to early Meiji period. Beneath a thin surface of silk lies an earlier painted fragment showing a woman under a traditional umbrella, with floral patterns and soft brushwork characteristic of mid-19th-century ukiyo-e–influenced painting.

A later calligraphic layer was applied directly onto the silk: flowing hiragana in a free, tonal rhythm, suggesting a short poetic note. The handwritten text is informal and expressive, reflecting the personal literary culture of the period. The two red seals at the lower left correspond to early-style studio or personal marks of the era; their exact reading requires further research.

The work embodies the historical practice of reusing fine painted fragments as decorative grounds for new inscriptions. Its layered structure combines two different moments within the 19th century — an earlier pictorial base and a slightly later calligraphy — forming a unified, historically complex object.

Style note

Free-flowing cursive hiragana with extended verticals, typical for late Edo–early Meiji poetic handwriting.

Condition

Antique condition. Antique works may show natural signs of age (toning, small creases, minor corner wear), so please review the photos carefully.

Size

Size (approx.): 23 × 29 cm.

Shipping

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

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