Lot 122: Blossoming plum branch

Kenko Shokei (Kei Shoki, Act. ca. 1478-1506)
Blossoming plum branch
Signed Hinrakusai and sealed Shokei
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
38 5/8 x 16 7/8in. (98 x 43cm.)

Shokei, the most important Kamakura painter of his time, was born in Utsunomiya, Shimotsuke province (present day, Tochigi Prefecture) and became a Zen priest at the Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura. In 1478, Shokei went to Kyoto to study painting under Geiami and copied ancient paintings in the Ashikaga shoguns' collection. Three years later, he returned to Kamakura and the Kenchoji where he held the office of shoki (secretary-scribe); hence his other name of Kei Shoki. His painting style is like that of Geiami, but more rigid and dry, a crisp rendition of Sothern Song style, particularly skillful in ink paintings.