Japanese Art Auction MEGURU Vol.23 -MAIN SALE- Coming This August!
August 19, 2025: Kashima Art Co., Ltd. ( Kashima Arts) is proud to present the prestigious Japanese Art Auction MEGURU Vol.23 -MAIN SALE- from August 23 (Sat) to August 31 (Sun), 2025.
Launched in 2019, the Japanese Art Auction MEGURU specializes in Japanese art, ranging from Edo to modern Japanese paintings, as well as Western-style paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, and crafts. The auction has introduced carefully selected works from across Japan to art enthusiasts both domestically and internationally.
The -MAIN SALE-, which began with Vol.15 two years ago, is a special annual auction featuring only carefully curated, top-quality pieces. Among them, Vol.23 presents the most exceptional lineup in the history of MEGURU, both in terms of quality and rarity.
This auction will feature masterpieces of Japanese painting, from Edo-period artists such as Ito Jakuchu, Maruyama Okyo, Yosa Buson, Katsushika Hokusai, and Sakai Hoitsu, to modern and contemporary masters including Yokoyama Taikan, Hishida Shunso, Uemura Shoen, Kaburaki Kiyokata, Hayami Gyoshu, and Hiroshi Senju. It will also include charming and profound “kawaii (cute)” ink paintings by Tokugawa Iemitsu and Sengai Gibon, as well as exceptional works by leading figures in the modern Western-style painting world, such as Yasui Sotaro, Kazuki Yasuo, and Matsumoto Shunsuke. Furthermore, the auction will bring together a wide variety of rare and noteworthy works, including a landscape painting from the final years of literary giant Natsume Soseki, formerly owned by his personal physician, the renowned ancient calligraphy masterpiece attributed to Emperor Shomu, the “Hinogire (Segment of the Senzai Wakashu)” transcribed with self-selected waka poems by Fujiwara no Toshinari, and the exquisitely detailed “Iris”, a masterwork of extraordinary craftsmanship by the enigmatic ivory sculptor Ando Ryokuzan.
MEGURU Vol.23 Highlights
This year’s -MAIN SALE- will feature nine works by Ito Jakuchu. Among them, “Rooster beneath Bean Vines” was previously exhibited in the Kyoto National Museum’s special exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of Jakuchu’s death, “Jakuchu!” The figure of the rooster, radiating energy and excitement, is rendered in a unique composition, with each feather meticulously depicted through delicate line work.
Additionally, “Mendicant Monks” highlights Jakuchu’s characteristically ingenious composition. The gentle, slightly humorous expressions of each monk are sure to warm the viewer’s heart.
Other works by Jakuchu in the sale feature rare and charming subjects such as puppies, an eagle, shrimp, turtles, and a dove.
“Spring Light” is a masterpiece painted by Uemura Shoen in her later years. This work crystallizes the ideal beauty that Shoen pursued, depicting an elegant woman bathed in gentle spring light.
The brushwork, delicately rendering everything from the woman’s expression to her attire, conveys a serene beauty and refined emotion that deeply moves the viewer. This masterpiece offers a glimpse into the pinnacle of Shoen’s artistic career. She was the first woman to receive the Order of Culture and remained true to her own aesthetic sensibilities throughout her life.
Yoshida Hiroshi’s representative work, “Glittering Sea”, was produced in 1926 as the first piece in his “Seto Inland Sea Series.” It marks the early period when he began to avidly pursue woodblock printing. The work depicts a sailboat floating peacefully on the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea, with a single ray of light sparkling on the surface.
The use of chisel engravings creates a dazzling reflection that captivates the viewer. Yoshida’s keen observational skills, refined through extensive training in Western-style painting and watercolor, breathed new life into the traditional art of woodblock printing.
This masterpiece is also notable for having been displayed at Kensington Palace by the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
Tokugawa Iemitsu’s “Horned Owl” and Sengai Gibon’s “Kushibussho (Zen Koan)” are among the most striking works in the -MAIN SALE-, distinguished by their humorous, relaxed, and charming forms. Both are representative of each artist’s unique style and are rare, valuable pieces that seldom appear on the market.
Departing from realism, these heartwarming animal depictions reveal the artist’s personality and inner world—such as Tokugawa Iemitsu’s playful spirit and Sengai’s Zen-inspired questioning. These masterpieces embody the profound depth of kawaii (cute) aesthetics in Japanese painting, a tradition that has captivated audiences across generations.
Starting from August 18th (Monday), all works will be available for viewing and bidding on the website!