The paintings in this Blog entry are for sale.
What about Renjishi?
What about Renjishi-lion dance?
The correctly named „Shunkyo Kagamijishi“ was first performed by Danjuro Ichikawa 4th at Kabukiza Theater in 1893, which is a long time ago. Moreover not to long afterwards, in a more modern context these topics, with traditional aspects, would partly become the language of controversial japanese tattoo imagery. Always evolving around Japanese Horimono. The theme of the Lion/Dog slowly grew to be a great part of it.
Just like these Renjishi paintings.
What is Renjishi?
Renjishi (連獅子) are iconic japanese lion dancers. Particularly famous in Kabuki theater, depicting a majestic father and son lion pair. Symbolizing family blood line love, succession, and strength. Including survival of the fittest, where a parent tests their cubs by throwing them from a steap slope to prove their perseverance before they dance together between the peonies, boasting powerful, unison manes and elaborate costumes.
The dance draws from legends of lions, powerful beasts (shishi), believed to expelling evil and linked to Buddhist deities, especially Monju Bosatsu. There are a number of other reasons for it, but I am keeping them a secret for those who visit me for my work.
Additionally, Renjishi is a popular Kabuki play. It’s often performed by real father-son actors, embodying themes and with time, pass it on to the next generation.
The characters are usually played by a white-haired father lion and a red-haired son cub, wearing elaborate costumes and heavy yak-hair manes.
Just like these Kagamishi Rensjishi paintings.
What about Horikashi?
What about Horikashi?
In a mountainous region of central Japan is a small town called Gifu and this is where you can find Horikashi in his Studio. Although being from Gifu City, it’s better not to confuse that he did not apprentice under world famous tattoo master Gifu Horihide, the style however being very Similar.
His work is known for vibrant color and admired by many on social media.
Just like these Renjishi paintings.
Renjishi paintings for sale.
Truely a powerful connection and the displaying the challenges of life, these two paintings come as a pair.
From the first limited book of Horikashi, two paintings stuck out to me to be the best.
Arriving a little late at the great 2017 London Tattoo Convention a lot of paintings by the Artist had already been sold. I was wondering why nobody had picked the pair. Perhaps as the total of two paintings being higher that one. So I caught lucky, due to others overlooking the hidden gems.
Identically Rejishi or Kagamishi should be particularly appealing to anybody? Just so different to a dragon or warrior design.
These Both surely belong to my favorites of that book.
Not sure when they were produced. 2015-2017 prehaps…
So new ones have been made in the meantime, but its just so cool to have them from that era. Maybe they belong to the height of his doing.
Famous for the dramatic “keburi” (mane-swishing) and the beautiful imagery of lions and peonies.
In essence, Renjishi is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant dance celebrating fierce parental love and the journey to becoming strong and independent.
With respect both paintings are sold exclusively as a pair. Like a love affair it`s impossible to tear them apart.
Painted on 300g Archers cold pressed. 54,5cm x 39cm each.
Signed by the artist in the painting including painting description
Click on the link below to make them yours.
https://www.ebay.de/
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gordon.blacktide@t-online.de