Toy tiger, 1854, 1st month
Iwaoexpand_more
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paperexpand_more
Gift of funds from Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Maslonexpand_more P.77.27.64
Not on Viewexpand_more
New Year has particular significance in Japanese culture. Marking the coming of spring in the lunar calendar, New Year symbolizes the renewal of life and hope for the future. To celebrate the occasion, poetry societies in Japan convene special gatherings in which their members compose poems on themes related to the New Year. Typical subjects for such gatherings include plum blossoms, bush warblers, the first sunrise, and the zodiac sign associated with the New Year. Depicting a child's toy, this print was created to celebrate the "year of the tiger" (the Zodiac animal associated with 2010 as well). The image and one of the poems bears the signature of "Iwao," suggesting that the artist was also a member of the poetry society that commissioned the print, though nothing more is known about the artist-poet.
Details
- Title
- Toy tiger
- Artist Life
- act. around 1854
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.77.27.64
- Curator Approved
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