Long Life, 1823
Kameda Bōsaiexpand_more
Ink on silkexpand_more
Gift of the Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture; formerly given to the Center by Mr and Mrs Don Simonexpand_more 2013.29.318
Not on Viewexpand_more
Kameda Bōsai was a scholar, artist, calligrapher, social commentator, and poet; highly respected among literati circles but regarded as non-conformist by the administration. His popularity among collectors and his fellow artists is attested to by the number of forgeries of his work in circulation. “Longevity” was written after his long-failing health suffered a sharp decline. Although he was then partially paralyzed and struggling to speak, Bōsai’s celebration of his unexpected longevity in the style of a waka (Japanese-style) poem is among the most visually lyrical of his body of work. He begins on the right with an ink-soaked brush that bleeds luxuriantly into the silk. The following verse is written in a fine, loose cursive script.
壽 わがトしにあや / かれかしとは / おこがまし / いされどもことし / 七十に
Long Life / To say that others should reach the same age would be / Quite presumptuous. / Nevertheless, this year I have become seventy-two!
(Trans. Stephen Addiss)
Details
- Title
- Long Life
- Artist Life
- 1752 - 1826
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2013.29.318
- 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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