August Gallery Auction
Fri, Aug 21, 2026 01:00PM EDT
Lot 3408
Okada Keisuke (1868-1952), Calligraphy
Estimate: $300 - $500
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $1 |
| $5 | $5 |
| $50 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Okada Keisuke (1868–1952), Calligraphy
This is a Japanese hanging scroll of calligraphy by Admiral Okada Keisuke, the thirty-first Prime Minister of Japan. Written in powerful running script, the seven-character inscription reads “Sun-piercing sincerity and spirit shake all under heaven” (貫日誠精震天下).
The calligraphy is deeply rooted in the Chinese literati tradition. Its rounded movement and continuous rhythmic flow recall the modelbook tradition of Ming and Qing calligraphy, while the weight, angular turns, and monumental structure of the characters reveal the influence of stele-based calligraphy. The combination gives the work both cultivated elegance and commanding strength.
Okada Keisuke was a senior admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy and served as Prime Minister from July 8, 1934, to March 9, 1936. His bold brushwork reflects the forceful public character associated with a naval commander and statesman, while retaining the discipline and cultural refinement of East Asian literati calligraphy.
Signed “Written by Keisuke” (啓介書). The two exceptionally large and finely carved seals read “Admiral of the Navy” (海軍大将) and “Seal of Okada Keisuke” (岡田啓介章). Their monumental scale provides a powerful visual conclusion to the vertical composition.
{Image size: 55 x 13 inches}. {Scroll size: 74 x 17 1/4 inches}.
This work will be featured in the special exhibition Time Well Wasted: Five Hundred Years of Japanese Ink Painting, held at Michaan’s Auctions from August 16 to 21, 2026, and will be published in the accompanying book of the same title by Jingwei Zeng.
Condition
For condition report and additional photos, please contact the Asian Art Department.
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From a distinguished private collection in Lafayette, California, assembled over several decades with an unwavering dedication to Japanese and Chinese art. With the generous support of the collector’s family, Michaan’s Auctions is honored to present selected treasures from this important collection.
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