A burning buddhist jewel by artist Konishi Fukunen enclosed in an annotated wooden box. Ink on paper in a Mustard silk border with bone rollers. It is 38.8 x 188.2 cm (15-1/4 x 74 cm) and is in overall fine condition.
Konishi Fukunen (1887-1959) was born in present-day Takefu City, Fukui Prefecture. His given name was Naonosuke, his courtesy name was Jūki, and besides using “Fukunen,” he also adopted the art name “Shibafu-en.” In 1901 he moved to Kyoto, where he became a disciple of Suzuki Shōnen and received the name “Fukunen” from his teacher. As an apprentice living under his master’s roof, he constantly remained by Shōnen’s side, diligently studying his painting methods. To deepen his own artistic expression, he also studied tea ceremony and Noh drama, and, with an eye to the future development of his art, pursued Chinese classical learning and English as well. He was a central figure of the modern Kyoto painting circle known for his bold style. He traveled throughout Japan to sketch from life, mastering realistic expression, while also establishing a refined and distinctive style of his own. With abundant creative energy, he produced and exhibited work in rapid succession, winning high praise and awards at exhibitions such as the Japan Art Exhibition and the Kyoto Painting Exhibition. With repeated awards at exhibitions, he gained renown as one of the leading Nihonga painters of his time. After the death of his teacher Shōnen, he struck out on his own within the Kyoto art world, further pursuing the refinement of his artistic vision. He passed away in 1959 at the age of seventy-three.
