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Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Hawk, Tree Sparrow, and Cream Narcissus

Maker

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797–1858, b. in Edo, Japan)
Kawaguchiya Shōzō 川口屋正蔵 (ca. 1824-1852), publisher

Title

Hawk, Tree Sparrow, and Cream Narcissus

Period

Edo Period

Year

1830s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink and color

Supports

Geography

Place Made: Japan; Place Made: Edo (location)

Dimensions

Chūtanzakuban: 37.6 x 13 cm (14 13/16 x 5 1/8 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription Text/Poem: 寒き夜の　ねくらの鳥の　ぬくめとり　おんを知らぬハ　人にそありける
Translation: Passing the cold night watching over the little ones asleep in the nest-- ingratitude is something only human beings know;
(Translation from Alfred H. Marks, Hiroshige Birds and Flowers, 1988);

Signature: 廣重筆 Hiroshige hitsu (Brushed by Hiroshige)

Seals: Publisher's seal: 正栄堂 Shōeidō (Kawaguchiya Shōzō)

Label: White rectangular label affixed verso, bottom right with inscription in pencil: YA531/[Japanese Characters]

Poem:
Samuki yo no/negura no tori no/yakume tori/on o shiranu wa/hito koso arikeri

Passing the cold night/watching over the little ones/asleep in the nest-/ingratitude is something/only human beings know

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

34.232

Type

Exhibition History

Samurai At Leisure
Nov 26, 2019 – May 24, 2020

Label copy

A tethered hawk perched elegantly on its stand is combined with a small tree sparrow and blooming narcissus in this print by Utagawa Hiroshige. The tension between predator and prey is softened by the inscribed poem, which references a folktale describing the sympathetic relationship between a hawk and sparrow. According to the tale, hawks held little birds in their claws to keep warm during cold winter nights, releasing them in the morning out of gratitude. In addition to symbolizing power and status, Hiroshige’s hawk is portrayed as a virtuous being.

Kacho-ga II
Jan 22, 1989

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

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797–1858, b. in Edo, Japan)
Kawaguchiya Shōzō 川口屋正蔵 (ca. 1824-1852), publisher
Hawk, Tree Sparrow, and Cream Narcissus, 1830s
Polychrome woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Chūtanzakuban: 37.6 x 13 cm (14 13/16 x 5 1/8 inches)
Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 34.232

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