Japanese Folding Screen by Hōkyō Dōun, 1880s

Details

Description

Elegant six-panel Japanese folding screen (byōbu), crafted around 1880. The panels are painted in refined sumi ink (suiboku-ga), depicting six … Read more Elegant six-panel Japanese folding screen (byōbu), crafted around 1880. The panels are painted in refined sumi ink (suiboku-ga), depicting six serene and poetic scenes of wise men, fishermen, and travelers — compositions that evoke a sense of calm, simplicity, and contemplation.

Dimensions: height 175.5 cm, width 60 × 6 panels, depth 2 cm.
In very good condition.

The artist, Hōkyō Dōun (法橋 洞雲), signed each panel with his name and seal. The title Hōkyō was an honorary rank historically granted in Japan to respected Buddhist monks and painters. His brushwork is lively and expressive, using soft gradations of gray typical of Zen ink painting from the Meiji period.

Each composition is framed with a dark blue border speckled with silver leaf and a gold silk brocade trim featuring floral motifs, finished with a black lacquered wooden frame. The back is covered with deep blue fabric. This refined craftsmanship gives the screen a stately yet tranquil appearance.

Today, this folding screen serves as a striking and elegant interior statement. It can be used as a decorative wall piece, room divider, or standalone artwork in a modern, minimalist, or wabi-sabi setting. The combination of historical refinement and understated beauty makes it a truly timeless piece.

A rare and authentic example of Japanese craftsmanship and Zen aesthetics — where art, stillness, and simplicity meet. See less