Rare Japanese diptych by Heian Seikichi depicting the deities of the Sun (日) and Moon (月), personified as anthropomorphic figures standing on golden clouds.
This type of pair, called 日月神像 (Nichigetsu Shinzō), is traditionally associated with Japanese religious syncretism (Shinbutsu-shūgō), blending Shintō iconography and Buddhist painting.
Each kakemono is painted in ink and pigments on silk, with delicate kirikane (gold powder) work creating a radiant zone around the deities. The deep blue and vermilion-red backgrounds accentuate the celestial symbolism.
Both Kakemono are mounted in kinran, a brocade woven with gold thread.
Iconography
🌞 Solar divinity (日神)
The male figure stands on silver-gray clouds edged in gold, haloed by a large white sphere symbolizing pure light. His sober, upright garb is inspired by Buddhist ritual clothing, but applied to a humanized Shintō deity.
🌙 Lunar divinity (月神)
The female figure is shown in front of a vermilion-red disk, an apotropaic color associated with celestial power. Her bluish clothes create a harmonious contrast with the warm aureole. She also floats on a cluster of highly stylized golden clouds.
Symbolism
The Sun/Moon duo evokes cosmic complementarity, the protection of natural cycles, Japanese yin/yang balance and the Shintō/Buddhist alliance before the Meiji reforms.
This type of diptych once adorned rural temples, local shrines or family altars (extended butsudan), to ensure protection, fertility, prosperity and harmony.
SIgnatures
平安清吉筆 日月神像 双幅
"Painted by Heian Seikichi - Images of the Sun and Moon deities - Diptych."
Painter active in Kyōto in the late Edo period and early Meiji decades. His style shows training in the religious Nihonga tradition, with influences from the late Tosa school and Kyōto's shijō workshops.
Condition and packaging
The two kakemonos come in a box with the following inscription:
平安清吉筆 日月神像 双幅
Heian Seikichi hitsu - Nichigetsu shinzō - sōfuku: "Painted by Heian Seikichi - Images of the Sun and Moon deities - Diptych."
Very good condition despite a few stains on one and some yellowing.
