BachmannEckenstein showing Japanese Eccentrics during Asia Week New York 2019

Japanese Eccentrics

Enter a Wunderkammer of Japanese art. Open your eyes for private letters and expressive sculptures open your heart for literati paintings and mended ceramics; open your mind for Kabuki star Ichikawa Danjuro (1874-1903) and monk artist Shimizu Kosho (1911-1999). This will not be interesting in a traditional sense but inspiring. Of particular interest is the fine selection of paintings with painted mountings, which is an exciting, rare and eccentric feature in Japanese art.

Don’t miss this. It is a must see show curated by Thomas Bachmann and Gabriel Eckenstein, well established, knowledgeable and passionate dealers in Japanese art and they are long-time participants of Asia Week New York.

 Exhibiting at

Leslie Feely, 1044 Madison Avenue, between 79th & 80th Streets, New York 10075

MARCH 15–19

Fri–Tues, 11am–6pm

(otherwise by appointment)

OPENING PARTY: Thursday, March 14, 5–9pm

OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND - MARCH 16–17

Saturday and Sunday, 11am–6pm

Image #2504

Letter by the Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX (1874-1903), who was a star in the Meiji period’s golden age of Kabuki. The wonderful mounting of this letter is painted with clouds and lotus. – Letter, ink on paper, 28. 5 x 35. 5 cm (11 ¼ x 14 in.), Painted mounting (kaki-byoso), 130.5 x 46.5 cm (51 ¼ x 15 ¼ in.)

Image #2514

Bronze figure of “the spirit who rocks the heavens” by Shimizu Kosho (1911-1999).

Imagine the over-crowded pantheon of gods, spirits and ghosts. To find room for more it needs the creativity of an artist and the eccentricity of a priest. Shimizu Kosho had both and created this unique figure which got the name – Shoten Warashi – “spirit who rocks the heavens”. – It is no surprise that Kosho got his inspiration from kindergarten children playing around with clay. They were Kosho’s source of inspiration. – Bronze figure, height 12.5 cm (5 in.), Original box (tomobako