Japanese Fine Art
Welcome to our website for Japanese art. We would like to invite you to discover our collection of fine antique works of art, ranging from screen paintings and hanging scroll to traditional ceramics, elegant lacquer works, exceptional sculptures and intricately woven bamboo flower baskets. All of our objects are unique masterpieces carefully selected by the gallerist and art historian Dr. Fabian Alexander Kommoss for their historical significance and outstanding quality. Galerie Kommoss is a leading gallery for fine Japanese art in Europe.
Why Japanese Art?
Refined elegance and astonishing craftsmanship on one side, and rough, coarse-looking ceramics that seem to have been created by nature itself on the other, the wide spectrum of Japanese art is fascinating and never monotonous. In fact, the opposite is true: Whether you look at the more popular and immediately appealing images of a Hokusai, the serene beauty of Japanese Buddhist sculpture, or the often complex aesthetic programs of traditional tea culture, the deeper you delve into the complex images, often subtly imbued with metaphorical meaning or humor, the more exciting it gets. What makes Japanese art so attractive to us is its pervasive characteristic of understanding the natural world as a source of spiritual insight and an instructive mirror of human emotion.
Tigers in Japanese Art
The tiger, a symbol of strength, courage, and leadership, holds a revered place in Japanese art. Often depicted in dynamic natural landscapes like bamboo groves and mountains, the tiger represents not only physical power but also the ideal of balance and harmony. It is seen as a guardian, embodying the connection between authority and peace. In Japanese art, the tiger is frequently associated with the concept of Yin and Yang, symbolically paired with the dragon, its unseen counterpart. Together, these creatures govern the forces of nature—wind and water—representing a harmonious balance of cosmic energy. Through vivid depictions of the tiger, Japanese artists capture both the majesty of the animal and the deeper cultural values of strength, balance, and serenity.
Object of the Month
Our Object of the Month is a rare hanging scroll by Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791–1875), featuring a reflective poem on the quiet transition between seasons. In this delicate and minimalist work of art, the famous nun artist describes an unusual scene: a flock of wild geese, typically heralding the arrival of autumn, now seen returning in the early spring night. Below them, plum blossoms release their sweet and elegant fragrance—yet the geese, restless and fleeting, take no notice.
With her graceful brushwork and poetic sensibility, Rengetsu invites us to pause and appreciate the beauty that so often goes unnoticed in life’s constant motion. The geese, driven by instinct, follow their path without lingering, much like we often rush through our days without truly seeing what surrounds us. Through this subtle yet profound imagery, Rengetsu encourages us to embrace stillness, to be present, and to find joy in the quiet wonders of each passing season.
