Hiroaki: Kinugasa Kannon Temple 絹笠観音 (Sold)

Artist: Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei) 高橋松亭 弘明
Title: Kinugasa Kannon Temple 絹笠観音
Date: 1924-27

An elderly couple are seen walking in front of the stone walls that encircle Kinugasa Kannon Temple. The red pagoda rises at right, with birds circling its spire. Kinugasa Kannonshoji Temple, located on the eastern coast of Lake Biwa has existed since at least the 11th century, and founding stories involve miraculous deeds by Prince Shotoku himself. It was rebuilt in 1597 after its destruction during the battle of Kannoji Castle in 1568. In the Edo period it prospered as one of the 33 temples of pilgrimage in western Japan. Tragically, the main building of the temple was burned in an accidental fire in 1993, including the standing statue of Senju Kannon, an important cultural property. It would seem that the pagoda was also destroyed in the fire, so this is a record of sorts of its beauty. The main building was rebuilt in 2004 and a new principal image of Kannon was also created. With the "Made in Japan" seal, verso, meaning that this work was intended for export in the late 1920s/early 1930s.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: 25.3 x 17.9 cm
Publisher: Watanabe Shôzaburô
Seal: Hiroaki  

Reference: TAKAHASHI, Hiroaki. [Shotei] [SHIMIZU, Hisao. comp.].: TAKAHASHI SYOTEI [HIROAKI]: SHOTEI [HIROAKI] TAKAHASHI: HIS LIFE AND WORKS. [Catalogue of the Folk Museum of Ota City], see p.43, illustration 122.  Laurence Roberts: DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.168.  MERRITT, Helen: GUIDE TO MODERN JAPANESE WOODBOCK PRINTS: 1900-1975. 

SKU: HIA040