Stellar antique Japanese 'ema' wood votive shrine painting signed and dated Meiji Period 30 (1897). The piece was commissioned by a Mr. Oka Yusai to be donated to a shrine. The characters on the actual painting read: 'Meiji 30 nen kugatsu' meaning Meiji Period 1897 September. 'Ho No' (donated) and 'Oju' the man who was commissioned and 'Oka Yusai' the donater. The scene is from a famous Genji Monogatari story of the Heike and Taira clans. After the Taira had been routed and were in full retreat, a woman from the retreating Taira clan taunted the pursuing Heike warriors to shoot an arrow into the full moon of her fan to show their true mettle. Minamoto Yoshitsune took up the challenge and rode his steed into the waves where from he launched a perfect strike. The painting is vivid with a bit of pigment loss. An impact piece. 1897. (31½" x 23½") (80cm x 59cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $200.

Asian Antiques
Asian Decorative Arts