Unknown Maker, Japanese

First dream of the New Year (Hatsuyume)

Maker

Unknown Maker, Japanese
Ezakiya Kichibei 江崎屋吉兵衛 (Japanese, 1773 - 1852), publisher

Culture

Japanese

Title

First dream of the New Year (Hatsuyume)

Period

Edo (Japanese period)

Year

1811.5

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink, color

Supports

Geography

Place Made: Japan; Place Made: Tokyo

Dimensions

38.1 x 26.2 cm (15 x 10 5/16 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription verso, bottom left: 653/Kozan

Signature: Kozan ga

Seals: Publisher's seal with emblem; censor's seal | kiwame; date seal | 1811.5

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of Isaac C. Bates

Object Number

13.1364

Type

Exhibition History

Prints for the Japanese New Year
Dec 17, 2010 – Apr 17, 2011

Label copy

The “First Dream of the New Year” (hatsuyume) can foretell one’s fortune or misfortune in the coming year, and this print depicts all of the auspicious omens that might appear in a New Year’s dream. The falconers with falcons perched on their hands are Daikoku and Ebisu, two of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin). An eggplant is growing next to them. The scene is set against Mount Fuji, with the sun rising behind its right slope. Two treasure boats are visible on the lake. On the sail of the one on the right is the character for “treasure,” while the one on the left reads “happiness.” The boats are presumably piloted by the other five Gods of Good Fortune. The two characters for hatsuyume are inscribed in the upper right corner of the print.

Happiness and Longevity
Deities of Good Fortune in Japanese Prints
Dec 05, 2003 – Feb 29, 2004
Prints for the Japanese New Year
Dec 15, 1995 – Mar 10, 1996
A Celebration of the New Year in Japanese Woodblock Prints
Jan 01, 1990 – Mar 01, 1990

Label copy

This print is filled with auspicious symbols for the New Year Daikoku and Ebisu, two of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, are depicted as falconers with falcons, eggplant growing nearby and Mt. Fuji looming in the distance. Treasure ships (takarabune) with the character fuku (good fortune) written on the sails are pulling into port, while the sun rises in the background. Far from subtle in design or coloring, the print has a boisterous humor of great popular appeal.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Japanese
Ezakiya Kichibei 江崎屋吉兵衛 (Japanese, 1773 - 1852), publisher
First dream of the New Year (Hatsuyume), 1811.5
Polychrome woodblock print
38.1 x 26.2 cm (15 x 10 5/16 inches)
Bequest of Isaac C. Bates 13.1364

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