A MASSIVE AND FINELY CARVED WOOD PANEL WITH SHISHI AND CUB Signed Horimonoshi Yamamoto Kanjiro Yasutomo with kakihan and Kenbyo isshiki, daiku Konishi Matayoshiei Toyomasa with kakihan
Japan, 19th century

The massive wood panel carved in high relief with an imposing adult shishi, its flowing mane and bushy tail finely carved, and with its tongue sticking out as it encourages its young cub to cross a stream, the young cub’s expression amusingly reluctant. This subject is known as toranoko watashi. A large waterfall crashes down behind the adult shishi and peony blossoms and leaves are finely carved below.

Signed by two artists (carpenter and carver) in the reverse – daiku Konishi Matayoshiei TOYOMASA with kakihan [a carved screen, carpenter Konishi Matayoshihei Toyomasa] and Horimonoshi Yamamoto Kanjiro YASUTOMO with kakihan [Carver Yamamoto Kanjiro Yasutomo].

SIZE 97 x 86.5 cm

Condition: Good condition. Some age cracks, the tail of the shishi cub partially chipped, two chips to the peony flower in the bottom left and a small section of the adult shishi’s tail re-attached.
Provenance: French private collection.