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Dear All,

Please, would you help me to identify the artist of this painting of a rather stern looking Chinese gentleman?
I was drawn to his severe look. And as no one else seemed interested in buying him, I thought he'd look well on my wall.
I am thinking of having him framed, as the mounting is in a pretty poor state. Before I do that, I'd be grateful if anyone could attempt to translate the writing (and seals) on the painting.

There is also some writing and some kind of stamp on the mounting.

Thank you for your kind help.

ps. I bought a couple of other painting along with this one, and would like to post them, also.

Best wishes,

Geoff

The picture was painted in China during WWII by a Japanese high ranking military officer.

Inscriptions,
Right side,

范卿仁兄法正　- To my dear friend Fàn Qīng
無名居士　　　- From Mumei-koji (Nameless retired scholar) - Art-name of artist
Upper seal,
柴山之印　-　Seal of Shibayama - Surname of artist
Lower seal,
越父甬　　-　Eppuyō - Another art-name

Inscriptions,
Left side,

昭和十五年元旦成筆　-　Painted on the New Years's Day of the 15th Year of Shōwa Era (1940)
於漢口坊中　-　In the City of Hankow

Inscriptions on the mounting,
柴山兼四朗少将畫人物　-　Figure painting from Major General Shibayama Kenshirō　

Red label,
文物商店　　　　-　Cultural Relics Shop
柴山兼四朗人物　-　Shibayama Kenshirō　-　Figure

Shibayama Kenshirō　1889-1956
His final rank was Lieutenant General of the Army.
From 1939 he was assigned to the 11th Army of Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters in Hankow (Today's Wuhan) - Ref. Japanese language
Google -

On the picture Zhong Kui, a mythological figure, suppoded to drive away evil spirits is depicted.

With regards,
I.Nagy

Dear I.Nagy,

thank you for this very detailed explanation of the painting. It has given me a lot to think about.
It is certainly an interesting part of social history, but it came from a dark time in the history of both China and Japan.

Thank you and best wishes,

Geoff

After a little digging, it appears that the painting was a gift from the Japanese General, Shibayama Kenshiro, to Fan Qing; a Chinese Communist party member who collaborated with Japan.
Fan Qing was sentenced to life imprisonment by People's Republic of China.

What I thought to be a nice painting has taken on a much darker meaning. I am feeling uncomfortable with this painting.

Best wishes,

Geoff

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