NANMEI: A SPECTACULAR FOLDING FAN WITH FINE PAINTINGS By Haruki Nanmei (1795-1878), signed Nanmei with seal Japan, early Meiji period (1868-1912) An elaborately and very finely crafted folding fan or ogi in 30 segments, some with a wavy shape. The two exterior segments are partly painted with gold lacquer and show fine Shibayama style inlays with a bird, beetle, butterfly, vines and fruit. The main side shows a large, dense landscape with a stream and very many pines, through which the snow-covered Mount Fuji shines in the center. An elderly man and two young Bokudo (ox herders) are shown, each playing the flute, and wood is being collected for the impending cold season. The other side shows a dense composition of a bamboo forest with a large group of sparrows, some flying and some still on branches. Both paintings are signed and show a red seal, corresponding to Haruki Nanmei. With string, tassles and a very fine satsuma gilt ojime. HEIGHT 27 cm, WIDTH 50 cm when opened Condition: Superb condition with expected minor creases from folding the fan. Provenance: From the private collection of a Corsican seafarer.