SHIMADA SHUNKO (1910-1986)
A LACQUER FUROSAKI TWO-PANEL SCREEN
Decorated in gold, silver and coloured takamaki-e and various lacquer techniques with rhododendron flowers on a greenish grey ground, signed Shunko saku and with kakihan (cursive monogram), the reverse with sparse silver nashiji on a black ground, the tomobako [original wood box] inscribed Shakunage sho-byobu [small screen with rhododendron design], dated Showa ju-nana nen shoka [early summer of 1942], signed Shunko saku [made by Shunko] and sealed
54.5 x 173 cm. (when unfolded)

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Lot Essay

Shimada Shunko was born in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture. He studied under Kinoshita Shunso in Tokyo and exhibited at various exhibitions. He was awarded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Shokosho), The Japan Lacquer Art Academy (Nihon Shitsugeiin), The Japan Arts Association (Nihon Bijutsu Kyokai) and at The Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition (Gendai Kogei-ten).

Shimada was commissioned the Imperial household in 1939 to decorate a sword for Princess Takako, daughter of the Showa Emperor. The following year a lacquer box by him was exhibited at the special official exhibition, Hoshukuten, which was held in celebration of the 2600th year of the Japanese Imperial Emperors’ lineage.
There is an accompanied document by the artist inscribed Showa junana-nen shoka Dainihon bijutsu kogei-ten (dai-ikkai) nenkansa shobyobu shakunage makie [The small screen with a rhododendron design achieved a privileged entry to The First Japan Arts and Crafts Exhibition in early summer of 1942].

This type of low, two-leaf folding screen is referred to as Furosaki byobu, which are used as partitions in tea-ceremony room and also serve a decorative function with their delicately decorated panels.