Taishō 1921 Kakejiku Sumi-e Hanging Scroll of a Toad Artist Unknown (Approximately 185X40CM)

Good antique condition. The hand-painted ink work remains well preserved, with strong brushwork and clear calligraphy. The silk-mounted scroll measures approximately 185 × 40 cm and displays beautifully as an early twentieth-century work of Japanese literati art.

This original hand-painted hanging scroll was created in 1921 (Taishō 10) and depicts a toad (gama, 蝦蟇) rendered in expressive sumi ink. Signed by an artist using an art name ending in 「緑」 and bearing two artist's seals, the painter remains unidentified, a circumstance not uncommon among regional and literati artists of the Taishō period.

In Japanese art, the toad has long been regarded as a symbol of good fortune, longevity, prosperity, and perseverance. Associated with both folklore and Daoist tradition, it also represents resilience and the ability to overcome adversity. The artist captures the animal with confident, economical brushwork characteristic of traditional ink painting, emphasizing spirit and movement over detailed realism.

Accompanying the painting is a classical Chinese-style poem referring to immortals, drifting clouds, mountain mist, and a celestial palace. The combination of painting, poetry, and calligraphy follows the long-established Nanga (Bunjinga) tradition, in which scholarly artists sought to express literary refinement and philosophical contemplation through ink art.

During the Taishō period, literati painters continued to draw inspiration from Chinese artistic and poetic traditions while adapting them to Japanese tastes. Hanging scrolls such as this were appreciated in private studies and tea rooms, where they were displayed seasonally for quiet reflection and cultural appreciation.

An elegant Taishō-period hand-painted hanging scroll that combines expressive ink painting, classical poetry, and traditional literati aesthetics, making it an excellent addition to any collection of Japanese painting or calligraphy.