Artwork

『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)

『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) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Ryūryūkyo Shinsai. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This privately published surimono, created around 1808 by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, is a woodblock print mounted in the third volume of the Spring Rain album. It depicts a rolled blue obi sash with gold edging placed on a red cushion, accompanied by a small cord‑tied wooden box. The image forms part of the “Butterfly Series,” a set of illustrations intended as gifts for a beloved.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a ceremonial presentation of textile and hair accessories, symbolising affection and refinement. Floral motifs, a rooster, and fluttering butterflies adorn the obi, linking the garment to themes of vitality, seasonal change, and courtship. The inclusion of a tortoise‑shell hair ornament box reinforces the notion of a treasured personal gift.

Technique & Style

Executed as a surimono, the print employs fine line work and delicate cross‑hatching to render texture, especially evident in the rooster’s feathering, which resembles stitched detailing. Ink and color are applied on paper, with a plain background that emphasizes the intricate decorative patterns and the densely packed handwritten text along the margins.

History & Provenance

The work was produced for a limited, private audience, a common practice for surimono that were often commissioned for poetry societies or special occasions. It now belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as part of the museum’s Japanese prints holdings.

Context

During the early nineteenth century, surimono served as a vehicle for artists to experiment with sophisticated printing techniques beyond commercial ukiyo‑e. Shinsai’s “Butterfly Series” reflects the era’s fascination with natural motifs and the cultural practice of exchanging elaborately packaged gifts among the educated elite.