Image

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Peonies (Botan)

Description

Maker

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (Japanese, 1797-1858, b. in Edo)

Title

Peonies (Botan)

Period

Edo (Japanese period)

Year

1843-1847

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink, color

Supports

Geography

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

Dimensions

33.8 x 11.5 cm (13 5/16 x 4 1/2 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Label affixed verso, top right corner with inscription in ink: [Japanese Characters]

Poem:
Tatami jiwa/kigise wa omoki/awase kana

When worn, the creases of a heavy lined kimono smooth out

Awase is a lined kimono worn between spring and summer. The peony is a flower which blooms at the same time. Omoki means "heavy." Perhaps the flowers, compressed like a folded lined kimono, smoothes out when the petals open.

Signature: Signed at lower left | Hiroshige hitsu

Seals: Censor's seal | Mera Taichirô

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

34.187

Type

Use & Feedback

Image use

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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 (Japanese, 1797-1858, b. in Edo)
Peonies (Botan), 1843-1847
Polychrome woodblock print
33.8 x 11.5 cm (13 5/16 x 4 1/2 inches)
Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 34.187

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