Daruma Shikishi by Abe Shinya | 24 × 27 cm

This Japanese shikishi features a striking and highly expressive Daruma, painted with broad brushstrokes in deep black and vivid red. Its large round eyes, bold eyebrows and almost playful expression give the composition a particularly strong character.

The work is signed あつみ 阿部進矢 – Atsumi, Abe Shinya. Abe Shinya (阿部進矢, born 1937) is a traditional kokeshi artisan from Atsumi Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture. He learned woodturning from his father, Abe Tsunekichi, and continued the distinctive kokeshi tradition of the Abe family in Atsumi. Alongside traditional kokeshi, Abe is also known for imaginative wooden folk art and playful figures.

Daruma is one of the most recognisable figures in Japanese folk culture and is traditionally associated with perseverance, resilience and the pursuit of one's goals. Here, Abe translates his lively visual language onto shikishi board, creating a work that feels both spontaneous and full of personality.

Visible brushwork, subtle variations in pigment and the handwritten signature give the piece the direct character of a traditionally painted shikishi. The work is undated; subtle signs of age are visible on the board and form part of its character.

Dimensions: approx. 24 × 27 cm

Would you like to discover more about shikishi and their place within Japanese art and culture? Read more in our Tamashii Guide.

Every vintage piece in our collection has its own story and bears the marks of its past. Please examine the photographs carefully for an honest impression of its condition and any signs of age or use.