SENGAI GIBON (1750-1837) Edo period (1615-1868), early 19th century Tenjin, kakejiku (hanging scroll), ink on paper in silk mounts, depicting the deified form of the Heian-period statesman and culture hero Sugawara no Michizane (845-903) dressed in Chinese clothes and travelling to Tang-dynasty China carrying a branch of blossoming prunus, his favourite flower and emblem, with an inscription, sealed Sengai, the jikusaki (scroll ends) of lacquered wood carved with the auspicious character Ju at each end; with a wood tomobako inscribed outside Sengai Osho hitsu Toto Tenjin zu (Picture of Tenjin crossing to China, brushed by Priest Sengai). Overall: 171.5cm x 44.7cm (67½in x 17 5/8in); image: 84.8cm x 28cm (33 3/8in x 11in). (2). 注脚 Provenance: Purchased from S. Yabumoto, Tokyo, 1975. A distinguished private collection.