Artwork

『春雨集』摺物帖柳々居辰斎画若松|Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2: Pine Shoots and Accoutrements for New Year’s Celebrations

『春雨集』摺物帖柳々居辰斎画若松|Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2: Pine Shoots and Accoutrements for New Year’s Celebrations is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Ryūryūkyo Shinsai. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This privately published surimono, part of the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū) volume two, presents a modest arrangement of New Year’s objects rendered in ink and color on paper. Executed in 1850 by the Edo‑period artist Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, the work is preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a low table bearing a young pine shoot, a small bird perched on a nearby branch, and several sheets of paper adorned with stylized floral motifs. These elements reference traditional Japanese New Year celebrations, where pine shoots symbolize longevity and the decorative papers convey wishes for prosperity.

Technique & Style

Printed as a surimono, the image combines fine line work with subtle color washes, creating a delicate balance between detail and softness. Textural contrasts are achieved through varied carving depths: rough, stippled bark juxtaposes with smooth, gradated petals, while the bird’s feathers are rendered with light, airy strokes that suggest movement.

History & Provenance

Commissioned for private circulation, the print was part of a limited‑edition album produced in the mid‑nineteenth century. After changing hands among collectors, it entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains accessible for study of Edo‑period printmaking and seasonal iconography.