Artwork

摺物帖『春雨集』『花鳥六番之内下野宇都宮』タンポポに雀|Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 3: Sparrows and Dandelions

摺物帖『春雨集』『花鳥六番之内下野宇都宮』タンポポに雀|Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 3: Sparrows and Dandelions is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Teisai Hokuba. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1820 by the Edo‑period artist Teisai Hokuba, this privately published surimono belongs to the third volume of the Spring Rain Collection, a series of woodblock prints assembled in an album. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the refined, small‑scale prints made for poetry gatherings and private patrons.

Subject & Meaning

The image pairs a bright‑yellow dandelion, its stem rendered in fresh green, with a sparrow perched on a nearby branch. The bird’s brown‑black plumage and alert posture suggest a moment of quiet observation in nature, a common motif that celebrates the fleeting beauty of everyday life.

Technique & Style

Executed with ink and color on paper, the print employs the delicate line work typical of surimono, using fine cross‑hatching to model form and subtle washes to convey soft hues. The composition balances precise outlines with gentle tonal shading, giving the sparrow a near‑lifelike presence.

History & Provenance

Originally produced as a limited‑edition album page for a literary circle, the print later entered private collections before being acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its survival in good condition reflects the careful handling typical of surimono, which were intended for connoisseurship rather than mass distribution.

Context

Surimono were often commissioned for poetry contests and seasonal gatherings during the late Edo period, when artists combined literary themes with sophisticated printing techniques. This piece, featuring flora and fauna, aligns with the period’s interest in seasonal symbolism and the appreciation of nature’s subtle details.