Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Kingfisher and Iris

Maker

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797–1858, b. in Edo, Japan)
Sanoya Kihei 佐野屋喜兵衛 (1717-1875

Title

Kingfisher and Iris

Period

Edo Period

Year

1840s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink and color

Supports

Geography

Place Made: Japan

Dimensions

Chūtanzakuban: 34 x 11.4 cm (13 3/8 x 4 1/2 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription Text/Poem: 川蝉の　羽を粧ふて　水かゝみ
Translation: The kingfisher preening his feathers in a mirror of water

Signature: 広重筆　Hiroshige hitsu (Brushed by Hiroshige)

Seals: Designer's seal: 弌立斎 Ichiryūsai
Censor's seal: 極 Kiwame
Publisher's seal: Red square cartouche (Sanoya Kihei)

Marks: On verso in pencil: X3824 上サ

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

34.254

Type

Exhibition History

Shimmering Beauty
Kingfishers in Art and Poetry
Dec 20, 2025 – Jun 07, 2026

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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)
Sanoya Kihei 佐野屋喜兵衛 (1717-1875
Edo, Japan), publisher
Kingfisher and Iris , 1840s
Polychrome woodblock print (nishiki-e)
Chūtanzakuban: 34 x 11.4 cm (13 3/8 x 4 1/2 inches)
Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 34.254

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