Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Tree Sparrows and Bamboo in Snow (Setchû take ni suzume)

Maker

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

Title

Tree Sparrows and Bamboo in Snow (Setchû take ni suzume)

Period

Edo (Japanese period)

Year

1840s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink, color

Supports

Geography

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

Dimensions

Image: 33.2 x 11.1 cm (13 1/16 x 4 3/8 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Chinese poem: Each segment of bamboo resists the weight of snow "Each segment of bamoo" refers to one's spirit implying that one's spirit is strong under pressure and the time one can notice how resilient one can be. The sparrows fly free in opposition to the branches under pressure from the snow.Inscription verso, bottom left corner:R34[1] White square label affixed verso, bottom right corner with inscription in pencil: BV1405/[Japanese Characters]

Signature: Signed at left | Hiroshige hitsu

Seals: Artist's seal | Tôkaidô

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

34.155

Type

Exhibition History

A Celebration of the New Year in Japanese Woodblock Prints
Jan 01, 1990 – Mar 01, 1990

Label copy

The bold design which matches the hard strength of bamboo with the energy of darting sparrows accompanies a winter poem printed in the upper left corner.

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 (Japanese, 1797-1858, b. in Edo)
Tree Sparrows and Bamboo in Snow (Setchû take ni suzume), 1840s
Polychrome wood block print
Image: 33.2 x 11.1 cm (13 1/16 x 4 3/8 inches)
Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 34.155

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