Artwork
『浅草側いせ暦』 節分の悪霊ばらい『春雨集』 摺物帖 |“Beans for Tossing During Setsubun Exorcism Ceremony,” from the series Ise Calendars for the Asakusa Group (Asakusa-gawa Ise goyomi)From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2
『浅草側いせ暦』 節分の悪霊ばらい『春雨集』 摺物帖 |“Beans for Tossing During Setsubun Exorcism Ceremony,” from the series Ise Calendars for the Asakusa Group (Asakusa-gawa Ise goyomi)From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2 is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kubo Shunman. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1814 woodblock print, 'Beans for Tossing During Setsubun Exorcism Ceremony,' is part of Kubo Shunman's 'Ise Calendars for the Asakusa Group' series, included in 'The Spring Rain Collection,' vol. 2. It is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a scene related to Setsubun, a Japanese exorcism ritual. A crow perched on a tray filled with beans (traditionally tossed to ward off evil spirits) suggests the impending scattering of these ritual objects, symbolizing the ceremony's purpose.
Technique & Style
Executed as a surimono, a type of Japanese woodblock print characterized by small size and high-quality craftsmanship, the work features intricate ink and color details on paper, blending natural elements (beans, leaves, birds) with decorative patterns (mat, flowers, clouds).
History & Provenance
Created circa 1814 by Kubo Shunman, the print is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, highlighting its preservation and accessibility for study.
Context
Setsubun, celebrated in early February, involves the ritual tossing of beans to cleanse and protect against evil spirits. This print captures the ritual's essence, reflecting early 19th-century Japanese cultural practices.
Legacy
As part of Kubo Shunman's oeuvre and the surimono tradition, the print contributes to the historical record of Japanese woodblock printing techniques and the artistic interpretation of traditional rituals.
Artist & collection
『浅草側いせ暦』 弓道具『春雨集』 摺物帖|“Bow, Arrows, Target, and Other Outfits for Archery,” from the series Ise Calendars for the Asakusa Group (Asakusa-gawa Ise goyomi)From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2
『浅草側いせ暦』 文房具と梅熨斗『春雨集』 摺物帖 |“Desk with Writing Set and Plum Flowers,” from the series Ise Calendars for the Asakusa Group (Asakusa-gawa Ise goyomi)From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2
『春雨集』 摺物帖窪俊満画 『鎌倉志』 「影向石」|Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: “Offering Incense to the Deity of the Stone” (Yōgōishi), from the series History of Kamakura (Kamakura shi)
『春雨集』 摺物帖窪俊満画 胡蝶舞の衣装|Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2: Costume for the Butterfly Dance (Kochō no mai)
舞楽衣装『春雨集』 摺物帖|Costume for Bugaku Court DanceFrom the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1
『蝶揃・寵愛』帯と簪|Roll of Cloth for an Obi and Tortoise-shell Hair Ornaments (“Presents for One’s Beloved”), from the Butterfly Series, from Spring Rain Surimono Album (Harusame surimono-jō, vol. 3)
『名物革仝印籠仝根付』 印籠根付『春雨集』 摺物帖|“Inrō and Netsuke,” from the series Famous Leathers, Inrō, and Netsuke (Meibutsu kawa, inrō, netsuke)From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2