frogs in an interior dressed in various types of garments; many frogs writing or reading; screens on R with two frogs outside on street wearing hats

Frogs in Writing Contest, c. 1738

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Frogs with human characteristics engage in poetry writing in this handscroll mounted as a hanging scroll. While some frogs appear naked, others don courtly attire: a black

cylindrical hat and robe for the males, and the layered kimonos and long flowing hair for the females. The dressed frogs appear and act like Japanese aristocrats, reciting
poems written on thin strips of paper. Most of the naked frogs at the left grind ink for the courtiers to use. Meanwhile, a single frog at the right spits out a stream of water to
inscribe the standing screen with the first line of a poem, perhaps as a commentary by the artist of how the art of poetry composition had trickled down to the lower classes.
This illustrated fragment might have been a part of a narrative scroll, but the textual portion has been lost.

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Details
Title
Frogs in Writing Contest
Artist Life
1663 - 1747
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.29.102
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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frogs in an interior dressed in various types of garments; many frogs writing or reading; screens on R with two frogs outside on street wearing hats