Two-sided Sumi-e ink painting on paper napkins glued to newspaper with a padded newspaper frame. One side shows two birds perched on a branch with a cluster of flowers hanging from the branch. The other side is a painting of morning glory flowers. Damage: frame is tearing and turning black, water spots and flaking on paint- ings. Some yellowing and deterioration of acidic paper. Accompanying typed sheet tells about the artist and his work. "Mr. Meishi Kitsunai, Sumi-e and Calligraphy artist" "Mr. Meishi Kitsunai was born in Fukushima, Japan. He came to the U.S. in 1919 at the age of 20. He had no formal training in art, although he claims he may have acquired some talent from his grandfather who had a reputation as an accomplished artist in his village where he was born. He had little time to test his skill in his early age until he came to this country. During his idle hours after work he found time to make a few dabs in sumi-e and calligraphy. Suddenly like his grandfather, he found the joy and excitement in creation of art.... During the lean years of the 1930's, he developed this very unique technique of using newspaper and tissue paper over- lay,... he started painting on both sides of the frame...."

1993.048