Japanese Meiji Period Embroidered Painting Attr. Nishimura Sozaemon of Kyoto

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This refined Japanese embroidered painting dates to the Meiji period and is traditionally attributed to Nishimura Sozaemon of Kyoto (1855-1935), … Read more This refined Japanese embroidered painting dates to the Meiji period and is traditionally attributed to Nishimura Sozaemon of Kyoto (1855-1935), a workshop known for elevating silk embroidery to the level of fine art. The serene composition depicts a sailboat gliding along a calm waterway toward distant Mount Fuji, framed by wooded banks and soft atmospheric perspective. Executed in finely shaded silk threads, the scene displays remarkable subtlety in color gradation and texture, giving the water, sky, and landscape a painterly depth.

Embroidery of this caliber was highly prized during the Meiji era, particularly for export to the West, where it was admired for its technical mastery and poetic restraint. The careful stitching captures delicate details—from the ripples in the water to the soft folds of the sail—demonstrating the extraordinary skill required to achieve such realism with thread alone. The work is presented in a simple dark frame that allows the embroidery to remain the focal point.

In nice antique condition with wear consistent with age and display. There is light, even toning to the silk ground and minor surface wear, typical for textiles of this period, contributing to its authentic character. A beautiful and tranquil example of Meiji-period Japanese textile art, well suited to collectors of Asian art and finely executed decorative works. 29h x 29w x 1d See less