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江戸中期の詩人・文人画家。大和郡山藩士。
日本南画の先駆者の一人。
名は里恭、字を公美、別号に竹渓・玉桂等。元・明の古跡を模写し、
狩野派を学び、のち長崎派の彩色した精密な写生風の画法を修める。
また指墨による墨竹もよくした。多才な風流人として知られる。
宝暦８年（1758）歿、53才。

本紙は経年による染み、汚れがあります。
表装は染みがありますが、概ね良好です。

Japanese hanging scroll painting, Edo period, 18th century.

This piece accompanies ivory scroll end. Painted on silk with ink and pigments, signed Kien and sealed.
The painting depicts a scene of Japanese court musicians playing divine court music called “Bugaku”, which is the traditional Japanese music accompanied by dancing. One of the two instrumental players is playing “shen” (a bamboo instrument first produced in China in 7th century) and the other one sounds a massive drum with “mitsudomoe” crest (three comma-shaped figures in a circle). This music performance carries the ritualistic implication and is usually played at the start of Bugaku performance to purify the stage, as well as to say prayers to ancestors. This fine work is attributed to Yanagisawa Kien (1704-1758).

Yanagisawa Kien (1704-1758) was one of the foremost artists of Japanese literati painting (Nanga or Bunjinga) active during mid Edo
period, 18th century. One of his masterpieces is collected at Tokyo National Museum.

Condition:It is in good original condition consistent with age. Please contact us if you wish to take off the painting for your own framing.