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遠眼鏡、魚、花
Fish, Flowers, and Telescope
遠眼鏡、魚、花
Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849)
Japanese
Edo period
about 1805–10 (Bunka 2--7)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
20.5 x 27 cm (8 1/16 x 10 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.20408
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Introduced in the early 17th century, the telescope was used for both astronomical study and popular amusement. The circular patterns on its casing indicate that the print was produced for the Asakusa-gawa poetry club, whose leader, Asakusa-an Ichihito, contributed the second poem on this print. Both poems invoke the image of the spring cherry blossoms lying next to the telescope. The first describes the scattered petals viewed in the early morning while returning drunk from a party, the second the power of a daimyo’s procession to command even the wind that blows the blossoms.
Signed
Gakyôjin Hokusai ga
画狂人北斎画
画狂人北斎画
InscriptionsPoems by Miyao no Yoshinari and Asakusa-an
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.