Traditional painting themes

© Harai Kayomi / Studio Oz

2016: Fuji and phoenix (Kayomi)

A phoenix in dazzling colours, set against red Fuji in the background - a traditional composition, yet in Kayomi's distinctive "feathery" style of painting.

No biographical details available. She signs her given name Kayomi in Roman letters.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23302 (23-302 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$38.71 €27.48 £23.38)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Kimura Keigo

2016: Heaven and Earth - Red Fuji (Keigo)

A classic composition: the deep red Fuji, surrounded by golden sky and mist...

Born in Kyoto in 1944, Kimura Keigo spent a halcyon childhood collecting beetles in the hills to the east of the old capital. A love of nature brought the desire to paint - animals, trees, rocks, and the traditional subjects from dragons to waterfalls.

Kimura is his family name, and as is usual with artists he uses his given name professionally, but does not appear to sign his paintings.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23016 (23-016 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Tatsuji Kajita

2014: Mt. Fuji horses (Kajita)

White horses gather below Mt. Fuji at dawn to show off their strength. A traditional theme, yet in Kajita's unmistakably vivid style.

Born in Nagoya in 1936, the artist became a successful illustrator of books, and commercial articles. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a second career, in oil painting, with which he has had many personal exhibitions.

He paints a wide range of subjects, signing the more traditional pictures with the characters for his given name, Tatsuji, together with a seal, whereas on the illustration-style paintings of trains and sailing ships he signs "T. Kajita" in the western style.

In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 2014 pieces; 107 x 77 cm (42" x 30")
Code: Y20180 (20-180 on box)
Retail price ¥4800 (approx. US$51.61 €36.64 £31.17)
Shipping from ¥1950 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$20.97 €14.89 £12.66)
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© Tatsuji Kajita

1000: Mt Fuji cranes (Kajita)

A faithful pair of cranes, but the others flying by make an auspicious total of seven. Red Mt. Fuji in the background, together with red and white plum blossoms and a couple of turtles, complete this very traditional painting, in Kajita's distinct and vibrant style.

Born in Nagoya in 1936, the artist became a successful illustrator of books, and commercial articles. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a second career, in oil painting, with which he has had many personal exhibitions.

He paints a wide range of subjects, signing the more traditional pictures with the characters for his given name, Tatsuji, together with a seal, whereas on the illustration-style paintings of trains and sailing ships he signs "T. Kajita" in the western style.

In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: Y101000 (10-1000 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Ogasawara Etsuko

1000: Cranes with red Fuji (Ogasawara)

A very traditional composition: in front of an auspicious red Fuji, a pair of cranes symbolise fidelity, watched by a pair of turtles, emblems of longevity. The picture is completed by the trio of pine, bamboo, and plum blossom, or shô-chiku-bai (standard labels for the best three selections at a sushi restaurant).

The style is an interesting blend of detail in the foreground features with an impressionistic setting of mist over the lake.

Few biographical details are available, but Ogasawara has worked as a background artist for anime production, and specialises in animal portraits. Her acclaimed painting of a pair of white tigers has also featured on a jigsaw puzzle.

She does not seem to sign her paintings; she writes her given name, Etsuko, with the old form of hiragana 'e', so it may also be rendered as 'Yetsuko'.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10433 (1000-433 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$38.71 €27.48 £23.38)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Hamada Taisuke

1000: Dawn Fuji, crashing waves (Taisuke)

Waves crashing into the shore provide a dramatic foreground to this traditional Red Fuji painting. Traditional not only in composition, but also in its luxurious metallic finish.

Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1932, Hamada followed graduation from what is now the Kyoto City University of Arts with a career in art. He has had many successful exhibitions, both in Japan and in America, where he spent considerable time in the 1960s.

He signs his pictures traditionally, with his given name, Taisuke, and full-name seal.

This puzzle has a metallic foil finish.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 72 x 49 cm (28" x 19")
Code: B91101 (91-101 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$38.71 €27.48 £23.38)
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© Kurata Tatsumi

1000: Red Fuji at dawn (Tatsumi)

The classic red Fuji - a dazzling red, yet austere in its simplicity. The dark trees and the soft mist alone set off the mountain.

A traditional Japanese painter, Kurata Tatsumi was born in Mie Prefecture in 1944. He signs his given (brush) name Tatsumi with a seal of the same characters.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E11091 (11-091 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.83 €8.40 £7.14)
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© Kimura Keigo

1000: Red Fuji with pine (Keigo)

A classic painting, Fuji a deep red, surrounded by a sea of mist, and an abstract gold background, with the single gnarled pine tree in the foreground.

Though the finished effect is beautiful, this will not be an easy puzzle—yet, the sky is full of gradation, so there are no completely uniform areas.

Born in Kyoto in 1944, Kimura Keigo spent a halcyon childhood collecting beetles in the hills to the east of the old capital. A love of nature brought the desire to paint - animals, trees, rocks, and the traditional subjects from dragons to waterfalls.

Kimura is his family name, and as is usual with artists he uses his given name professionally, but does not appear to sign his paintings.

This puzzle is cut to make pieces harder to find.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E11313 (11-313 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Beverly

1000: Cranes with pink plum blossom

The crane is a symbol of longevity and prosperity, and here four of them stand delicately painted against a background of plum blossom. The rising sun completes the picture.

While three preen and pose, one adds a touch of humour with a quizzical gaze straight out of the canvas.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 49 x 72 cm (19" x 28")
Code: B61258 (61-258 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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©

1000: The bird of good omen

A gorgeous historical screen painting from the Kanô school - a number of birds parade in surroundings of peonies and plum blossoms, with a backdrop of rather abstract mountain scenery.

This will not be an easy puzzle, given the considerable area of golden brown background, but it will surely be interestingly different.

Useful Wikipedia article on the Kanô school

In stock
A Road puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: RS11140 (RS-11-140 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.83 €8.40 £7.14)
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© Ozuma Kaname

1000: Cock and hen (Kaname)

The long, clear call of the cockerel has made it a traditional symbol for long life. Here Kaname surrounds the cock and hen with flowers, particularly the auspicious peony, in a classic 'bird-and-flower' (kachôzu) composition.

The painter Ozuma Kaname was born in 1939, in Niigata. He studied traditional Japanese art, and his pictures are generally based on traditional themes.

Ozuma is his family name: he signs paintings with the single character of his given name only.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: A10326 (1000-326 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$38.71 €27.48 £23.38)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Takeuchi Hakuga

1000: Peacock legend (Hakuga)

A total of three birds display their plumage in a florid setting. The peacock has been revered since ancient days in India, for its usefulness in eating poisonous snakes.

The artist was born in 1948, in Niigata. After working for a textile company, he went independent as a textile designer. He has his own individual drawing style, bringing a fresh approach to many traditional art themes.

He goes by his given name, Hakuga, in the traditional way, signing his paintings in a stylised, but non-cursive form.

In stock
A Road puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: RS11268 (RS-11-268 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.83 €8.40 £7.14)
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© Ozuma Kaname

1000: Carp ascending (Kaname)

The carp is a traditional symbol of wordly success, and these two fine specimens produce a vigorous spray as they make their way up in the world. The original title, Daishôri ("Great-rise-carp") is a pun, because with different characters shôri also means "Victory".

The painter Ozuma Kaname was born in 1939, in Niigata. He studied traditional Japanese art, and his pictures are generally based on traditional themes.

Ozuma is his family name: he signs paintings with the single character of his given name only.

In stock
An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 50 x 75 cm (20" x 30")
Code: A10346 (1000-346 on box)
Retail price ¥3600 (approx. US$38.71 €27.48 £23.38)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Taki Keisetsu

1000: Carp with pine-bamboo-plum (Keisetsu)

A colourful display of jumping carp, the usual auspicious five in number, surrounded by the triad of plum, bamboo and pine.

No biographical details available. In the traditional manner, the artist signs his paintings with his adopted given name Keisetsu and seal. The family name Taki may or may not be his real name.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 49 x 72 cm (19" x 28")
Code: B61163 (61-163 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Hajime Okamoto

1000: Lucky luck cats! (Okamoto)

A jovial collection of maneki neko, the cats that beckon good fortune — and presumably the more cats, the more fortune they can bring! Cats are a speciality of Okamoto's inimitable style, but they are also accompanied by a number of Daruma dolls and luck red snapper fish.

Born in Osaka in 1942, Hajime Okamoto is an artist with a distinctive and very jolly style, who specialises in cats — particularly the beckoning bringers of good fortune.

He signs his paintings with a seal, and a stylised form of his name in Roman letters (with his family name last).

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 72 x 49 cm (28" x 19")
Code: B61302 (61-302 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Nakajima Chinami

2016: Yamatakajindai-zakura (Chinami)

A stunning portrayal of a real tree in Yamanashi Prefecture (just north of Mount Fuji) - said to be up to 2000 years old.

Around 90 percent of the area of this puzzle consists of pink blossoms against the abstract background of luxurious gold, so this puzzle will not be easy!

Born in 1945 in Nagano, in the mountains of central Japan, Nakajima Chinami is a successful painter and illustrator.

He signs his paintings with his given (brush?) name Chinami, together with a fanciful seal - perhaps representing his whole name, which could be poetically rendered "Middle-island of the thousand waves."

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23017 (23-017 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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© Nakajima Chinami

1000: Miharu weeping cherry (Chinami)

A portrayal of the famous weeping cherry in Miharu, in northern Japan. This enormous tree is said to be at least 1000 years old. The town of Miharu (lit. "three springs") is said to be derived from the local simultaneous blossoming of plum, peach, and cherry trees.

Chinami's painting makes a gorgeous work of art, and as a puzzle it presents a formidable challenge.

Born in 1945 in Nagano, in the mountains of central Japan, Nakajima Chinami is a successful painter and illustrator.

He signs his paintings with his given (brush?) name Chinami, sometimes together with a fanciful seal - perhaps representing his whole name, which could be poetically rendered "Middle-island of the thousand waves."

This puzzle is cut to make pieces harder to find.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E11312 (11-312 on box)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$32.26 €22.90 £19.48)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$12.90 €9.16 £7.79)
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