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Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

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

Description

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 (Suisen ni taka to suzume)

Period

Edo Period

Year

1830s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink, color

Supports

Geography

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

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

Signature: Signed at left | Hiroshige hitsu

Seals: Publisher's seal | Kawaguchiya Shôzô (Shôeidô)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

34.232

Type

Exhibition History

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

Use & Feedback

Image 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 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 (Suisen ni taka to suzume), 1830s
Polychrome woodblock print
Image: 37.5 x 13 cm (14 3/4 x 5 1/8 inches)
Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 34.232

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