| Home Page |

Dancing People

	Object Type	19th Century Japanese Scroll
	Artist	Kiitsu
	Period	Late Edo
	Materials	Color on Silk Scroll
	Creation Date	ca. 1830
	Dimensions	106 cm. x 49.5 cm. (41 3/4 in. x 19 1/2 in.)

Commentary

This is one of the first paintings ever bought for the Collection. This painting was very seldom published because Rimpa authors claim it is Ukiyoe, and Ukiyoe authors claim it is Rimpa. Fortunately this painting was purchased early on, for it teaches the maximum range of techniques to look for in other paintings. The spaces between the dancers have as much movement as the dancers themselves. No two lines cross, and there is only one layer of paint throughout the entire painting - the fan is just the untouched silk. All lines which describe an object continue, emerging again somewhere else in the painting; the eye therefore roams effortlessly throughout the entwined figures.- JDP As we understand through the writing of Santo Kyoden's Kottoshu, hedonistic genre painting from the early Edo period stimulated the minds of those in the early nineteenth century, who yearned for the antiquity. This painting is one of such examples A genre painting titled Enbu-zu was introduced in Kinsei nihonga taikan: Shoki Fuzokuga-hen, Vol. 4 in 1922. It is painted on gold paper, a pair, and could have been a part of a screen. The whereabouts of this painting is unknown, but I assume the work is from the end of the Kan'ei period (1624-1629). The composition of this work is similar to that of Kiitsu's Dancers, which suggests that Kiitsu probably used the work from the Kan'ei period as his model. However, the compositional interpretation, which is entirely of Kiitsu, is very witty. A choice of vibrant colors and a combination of abstract forms are a result of his ability to organize his composition intellectually. Young Mr. Price was intrigued by this work and purchased it without knowing the name of the artist. His interest in Kiitsu triggered the interest of scholars and collectors, who, until Mr. Price's interest, paid no attention. There is a reason why this work has not been introduced in a color print. Gunbu-zu (Dancers) by Kiitsu, which is exactly the same art work as this Dancers, was introduced in the art journal in the past. According to the scholar who saw this original work by Kiitsu, the one in the art journal is superior to that of the Price's. He even suggested they investigate the authenticity of the seal. It has been discovered in a recent study that even a not-so-famous-artist like Kiitsu had a talented double; therefore, we must consider such facts when we examine Kiitsu's work. However, this is only one scholar's opinion and it should not reflect on the charm of this painting. Mr. Price should ignore the scholar's opinion. (Tsuji)