(No Reserve) Japanese Four-Panel Folding Screen – Gold Sunago Decoration – Ushiwakamaru and Benkei on Kyoto’s Gojo Bridge – 170 cm Wide 【Description】 This Japanese folding screen features sunago, a traditional decorative technique in which fine particles of gold are scattered across a surface to create a shimmering effect. The screen depicts the legendary duel between Ushiwakamaru and Musashibo Benkei on Kyoto’s Gojo Bridge, rendered with gold sunago decoration. The image of Ushiwakamaru and Benkei was originally painted by Japanese-style painter Yōkō Ikegami. It was transferred onto the surface of the folding screen using an adhesive-based process, after which gold sunago decoration was applied by sunago artisan Minoru Tabei. 【The Story of Ushiwakamaru and Benkei】 Ushiwakamaru was the childhood name of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a famous historical figure who played a major role in the defeat of the Taira clan. His elder brother, Minamoto no Yoritomo, later established the Kamakura shogunate. Benkei was a legendary warrior monk renowned for his extraordinary strength. According to tradition, after encountering Ushiwakamaru on Gojo Bridge, he became Yoshitsune’s loyal retainer for the rest of his life. During the late Heian period, the Minamoto clan suffered defeat in its conflict with the Taira clan. Ushiwakamaru, the son of a Minamoto warrior, was sent to Kurama Temple in Kyoto as an infant, where he grew up. According to the legend, when Ushiwakamaru was around 12 or 13 years old, in June 1176, he encountered Benkei on Gojo Bridge in Kyoto. Benkei was said to have been challenging warriors and taking their swords. When Benkei attacked him, Ushiwakamaru skillfully evaded his blows with his light and agile movements. Seizing an opportunity, he kicked Benkei’s long sword away and took it from him. Impressed by the young warrior’s skill, Benkei pledged to serve Ushiwakamaru, later known as Minamoto no Yoshitsune, for the rest of his life. This folding screen depicts the legendary encounter between the two. Video: Ushiwakamaru and Benkei on Gojo Bridge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hy3syewfGg Although Ushiwakamaru, later known as Minamoto no Yoshitsune, was a real historical figure, the famous duel on Gojo Bridge is generally regarded as a legendary story that may contain fictional elements. 【About Sunago Gold Decoration】 Sunago is a traditional decorative technique in which fine particles of gold or silver are scattered onto a surface to create delicate patterns and shimmering effects. Traditionally, the particles are produced by placing gold or silver leaf and thinly split bamboo strips inside a bamboo tube fitted with a fine mesh at the bottom. The tube is then used like a sieve to scatter the fine metallic particles across the surface. Sunago developed as part of Japan’s decorative arts and was used on items such as poetry cards and illustrated scrolls during the Heian period (794–1185). 【Japanese-Style Painter: Yōkō Ikegami】 Yōkō Ikegami was born in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1912 (Taishō 1). He later joined the Seiryūsha art group founded by Ryūshi Kawabata and was selected for exhibition several times. He was particularly skilled at figure painting. His gentle, warm style became well regarded, and he worked as a painter whose art was suitable for traditional decorations celebrating a child’s first festival. 【Sunago Artisan: Minoru Tabei III】 The Tabei family has a long history of working with sunago decoration. The first Minoru Tabei studied under sunago artist Kensuke Tanaka in the early Meiji period, continuing a tradition that was passed down through successive generations. The craft was later carried on by the third-generation Minoru Tabei, who established his workshop in Sumida, Tokyo. Video: Minoru Tabei and Sunago Decoration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRJ0HC2sba0 【Decorative Appeal】 The gold sunago decoration extends across much of the screen, creating different visual effects depending on how the light falls upon it. This striking piece can make an impressive decorative feature not only in a traditional Japanese room, but also in a modern living room, hotel, or commercial interior. Folding screens were traditionally used in Japan as furnishings to divide interior spaces. Today, they are also appreciated internationally as large-scale decorative artworks that bring Japanese aesthetics into contemporary interiors. 【Dimensions and Weight】 Width: Approximately 170 cm Height: Approximately 70 cm Thickness: Approximately 1.5 cm Weight: 12,360 g 【Condition and Important Notes】 The second photograph is an illustrative image showing how the folding screen might look when displayed on an interior wall. Please note that the furniture and other decorative items shown in the image are not included in this listing. This is a vintage folding screen dating from the Shōwa period (1926–1989). It is in good overall condition, with no major stains or tears. However, minor age-related marks and some loss of gold powder decoration are present. Please examine the photographs carefully and take these signs of age and use into consideration before placing a bid. 【Important Information Before Bidding】 This item will be shipped from Japan. The item price and shipping cost do not include import duties, VAT, or any applicable Catawiki fees. Buyers outside Japan are advised to check the import duties and taxes applicable in their country before bidding, or consult the following Catawiki Help Centre articles: Understanding import taxes https://www.catawiki.com/en/help/buyer-customs-and-taxes/understanding-import-taxes Understanding customs fees and import charges https://www.catawiki.com/en/help/buyer-customs-and-taxes/understanding-customs-fees-and-import-charges 【Shipping】 The folding screen will be carefully packed and shipped from Japan via EMS, with a tracking number for secure and traceable delivery. Shipping costs vary by destination. For example, shipping to the Netherlands, Italy, or Switzerland costs €63. However, EMS is temporarily unavailable for certain EU countries, including Germany and Austria, so courier shipping to these destinations costs €178. Please check the shipping cost applicable to your country and ensure that you agree to it before placing a bid.