Painting in sumi ink, mineral pigments and gold on silk mounted as a hanging scroll, depicting a Japanese air force plane soaring into gilt edged clouds. Signed by the artist: Fukunen Ga or Painted by Fukunen, and sealed; also inscribed with a date of Showa, Year of the Ox, When the Chrysanthemums Bloom or Autumn of 1937 (Konishi Fukunen, the go or art name of Konishi Yunosuke, 1887 – 1959). Showa 12 or 1937.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Hikoki or Airplane; and on the reverse of the lid signed: Fukunen Jidai or Titled by Fukunen, and sealed.

A Maruyama School painter, Konishi Fukunen was born in Meiji 20, the second son of Konishi Ube, a scroll mounter in Takefu City in Fukui. In Meiji 34 or 1901 he went to Kyoto to study under Suzuki Shonen, who gave him his art name, Fukunen. Respected for his strong brush work and technical brilliance, Konishi Fukunen started a group of painters called the Kafuku Kai and was noted for his interest in modern and foreign subjects, among them English.

Beautifully mounted, this painting was likely commissioned by the proud parents of a young pilot. Even the number of his plane, 1277, shows clearly across the fuselage. The gold brocade framing the painting was custom woven, filled with miniature planes and hawks. This modernist painting must have seemed brave and chic, and conveys the brimming optimism of the era, so soon to be smashed by the War.