Rare Pair of Vintage Japanese Shikishi – “Monkey and the Drummer” – Anonymous Artist, Taishō–Shōwa Era

A rare and evocative pair of original Japanese shikishi (traditional art boards), painted around the Taishō–early Shōwa period (c. 1910–1940s).

These two works tell a story few art pieces ever do:

one board shows the nearly finished scene – a street performer tapping his drum, a tiny monkey bowing in costume, captured in vibrant sumi ink and soft color washes,

the second remains an unfinished sketch – the hand of the artist paused mid-gesture, a fleeting moment frozen in ink.

🎭 The Mystery Artist:
There is no signature, and the seal is unreadable. The brushwork, however, suggests ties to the Shijō school and the poetic freedom of nihonga painting.
This anonymity adds a layer of intrigue and legend: Was this the work of a wandering Kyoto painter? A gifted student of a master who never sought fame? Or a professional artist who left his identity deliberately veiled?

🌿 The Meaning of Incompleteness – Wabi-sabi:
In Japanese aesthetics, incompleteness is not a flaw – it is wabi-sabi, the beauty of the imperfect and unfinished.
The sketch is not “less” than the completed painting – it is a window into the artist’s process, showing how the first breath of an idea turns into art. Together, the two boards form a rare diptych of thought and execution.

🖌 Subject & Cultural Value:
The scene depicts saru-mawashi (猿回し) – the centuries-old Japanese tradition of traveling performers with trained monkeys. These charming, nostalgic performances have all but vanished, making these images a glimpse into a lost world.

Details:
Medium & Style: sumi-e ink and mineral pigments on shikishi board with gold trim
Size: approx. 24×27 cm each
Condition: vintage patina, minor age spots consistent with age – authenticity guaranteed
Origin: Japan
Shipping: Safe and tracked packaging from Latvia (Riga Gallery of Japanese Art CloudyYokomido)

This pair is more than just art – it is a narrative: from sketch to scene, from the mystery of an unknown artist to the enduring charm of Japan’s forgotten street performers.


This pair is more than just art – it is a narrative: from sketch to scene, from the mystery of an unknown artist to the enduring charm of Japan’s forgotten street performers.

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