Lion Training Cub, c. 1835-1839
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paperexpand_more
Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr.expand_more P.75.51.337
Not on Viewexpand_more
Although lions are not native to China, the Japanese have long referred to them as karajishi, or Chinese lions, because the first lion images seen in Japan came from China in the 9th century. This print’s subject alludes to a well-known Chinese proverb about a lioness testing the strength and stamina of her cubs by pushing them off a cliff. She accepts only those able to climb back up the rocky precipice. In some versions, the lioness conducts this terrible test when the cubs are only three days old. The first line of the accompanying poem probably refers to cubs that survived into their fourth day.
The four-day-old Chinese lion although just a little cub,
is as graceful as a peony flower.
Details
- Title
- Lion Training Cub
- Artist Life
- 1797 - 1858
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.75.51.337
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Ukiyo-e shūka 14 (1981), Hiroshige list, p. 241, ōtanzaku #8.6
- 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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