Hanging scroll. Painting of a traditional New Year’s scene: Two shishimai dancers going from village to village doing a lion dance, driving the evil spirits away. Behind him a man plays a small drum to beat the rhythm of the dance.

 

Some black ink, mineral colors on silk, mounted in a silk mounting with bone scroll ends.

 

Signed: Kōju sha, with a round, red seal

 

Japan, early Showa era, 1930s-1940s

 

Mounting: H 67.25 x W 20.5 in.

Width at bottom: 22.6 in.

Image: H 40.25 x W 15.75 in.

 

Backing paper toned, surface soiled, mounting dry, insect damage at upper right edge of mounting partially backed