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I’m hoping you may be able to help identify a Japanese hanging scroll depicting a Heian-period court lady. The painting is on paper and appears hand-painted and seems to be signed and sealed 景月 (Keigetsu).

I am trying to determine artist and estimate of when it was created. It is in too rough shape to hang, so I could also use any advice on what I could do to display it or restore. Any information you could share would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can give me.







Link :Photos of scroll

Signature and seal read,
昇月　Shogetsu -　Rising Moon (art name)
I was unable to identify an artist with that name.

Rubber stamp imprints on the back side,
別上　-　Premium
This is a sales term denoting a product’s grade.
立官上　- Standing court lady
This describes the subject depicted in the painting. It is a work depicting a “standing court lady (a woman serving in the imperial court).

These rubber stamp impressions speak for themselves. From the Meiji period through the Taisho and early Showa periods, there was extremely high demand for expensive hanging scrolls used for seasonal festivals (such as Hina Matsuri) and annual events, as well as for gifts. Consequently, mounting shops and artists’ studios produced many works using traditional techniques—either hand-painting them in large quantities or employing woodblock printing or other printing techniques for parts of the image, with artisans then hand-coloring the finished pieces.

As of restauration,I advise the reframing. The scroll is taken apart, the paper is smoothed out, and then it is placed in a frame for display. This makes it easier to handle when displaying and reduces the risk of it falling.

With regards,
I.Nagy

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