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Utagawa Hiroshige

Hawk, Tree Sparrow, and Cream Narcissus (Suisen ni taka to suzume), 1830's

Description

Maker

Title

Hawk, Tree Sparrow, and Cream Narcissus (Suisen ni taka to suzume)

Year

1830's

Medium

Polychrome woodblock print

Materials/Techniques

Materials

Techniques

Supports

Dimensions

Image: 37.5 x 13 cm (14 3/4 x 5 1/8 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

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

Place

Japan; Edo (location)

Type

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

34.232

Projects & Publications

Publications

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Samurai At Leisure

November 26, 2019 - May 24, 2020

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.

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Hawk, Tree Sparrow, and Cream Narcissus (Suisen ni taka to suzume) with the accession number of 34.232. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.