International studio (51.1913/1914)

Studio-Talk


“ cranes”

BY BIEN CHING-CHAO

and Mr. Palgrave Simpson, representing the Exhibi-
tions Branch of the Board of Trade, whose zeal and
courtesy are most highly commended by all visitors
to the exhibition. Fernand Khnopff.
KYOTO.—No incident has aroused so
much interest in the art world of Japan
during the last few years as the recent
sale of the treasures of the Lord-Abbot
of the Nishi Hongwanji, the chief temple of the
western branch of the Hongwanji sect of Buddhists,
which was erected by command of the great
Hideyoshi in 1591. Connoisseurs from all parts of
the country came to Kyoto and thronged around
the treasures like ants round a heap of sugar. The
objects were divided into three lots, and sold on
three different occasions. In all some two thousand
six hundred items were disposed of, comprising
82

drawings, paintings, and autographs, in the form of
kakemono (hanging pictures), makimono (rolls), gajo
(books of painting), byobu (folding screens); tables,
stands, suzun-bako (ink-cases), fumi-bako (boxes to
carry messages in), and cabinets in lacquer or
inlaid with mother-of-pearl; articles used in the
tea ceremony, such as jars to keep powder tea in,
tea bowls, tea scoops, iron kettles, bronze vessels
for water, incense boxes and burners, as well as
flower vases, okimono (ornaments), hanging lanterns,
gold-lacquered saddles, lacquer trays and bowls,
and even arms and armour.

The sales took place in the temple itself. The
works of art were displayed in the “Wild Geese”
chambers, the “ Chrysanthemum ” chamber, the
suite of rooms known as Shiro- Join ; the “Stork”

J.
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“LANDSCAPE” by C'HIANG CHIA-PU