five mice nibbling on long, thin branch of white rice-cake flowers at L; pink flowering sprig across white flowers at L; lone mouse nibbling on end of branch at far R; ivory roller ends

Mice on Rice-cake Flowers, late 1790s

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For New Year's, the Japanese decorate cut bare branches with small balls of glutinous rice (mochi), which they think resembles plum blossoms, a harbinger of spring. In this rather earthy view of the holiday, Rosetsu has pictured a pack of mice devouring the delicate "flowers."

Rosetsu, an exuberant and expressive ink painter, also excelled at working in an extremely detailed and refined manner. In this scroll, he displays his skill at kegaki, the technique of painting countless lines over a light wash to realistically portray the fur's soft, undulating texture. In addition, Rosetsu had an uncanny understanding of animals. Here, he deftly captured the nature of mice through their tense, delicate gestures and quick, dark eyes.

Details
Title
Mice on Rice-cake Flowers
Artist Life
1754 - 1799
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.79.163
Catalogue Raisonne
Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 399
Curator Approved

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five mice nibbling on long, thin branch of white rice-cake flowers at L; pink flowering sprig across white flowers at L; lone mouse nibbling on end of branch at far R; ivory roller ends