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Introduction

Of Clover and Chrysanthemum

Autumn Themes in Japanese Woodblock Prints
September 1 - December 12, 2010

Autumn themes decorate a wide variety of objects in Japan. Painting, lacquer work, textiles, and wood block prints are just a few of the media in which the characteristic subjects of chrysanthemums, morning glories, autumn grasses, and others appear. These motifs, like geese flying before upon observations of seasonal changes in nature. The subjects also have rich literary associations. Some themes, like chrysanthemums, are derived from Chinese literature, which was much admired and imitated by the Japanese; others, like morning glories, belong to the native Japanese literary tradition.

This woodblock print exhibition is organized by theme, with chrysanthemums and morning glories occupying the second and forth walls. The remaining spaces are filled with various other autumnal subjects. The labels for individual prints contain more specific explanations for some of these motifs.

Selected Objects

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Utagawa Hiroshige

Moon, begonias, bell flowers and ominaeshi (Tsuki ni shukaido to kikyo to ominaeshi), 1853.1
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Utagawa Hiroshige

Crane and autumn grasses (Hagi to susuki ni tsuru), 1830's-1840's
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Utagawa Hiroshige

Balloon Flowers and Chinese Silver Grass (Susuki to kikyô), 1830's
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Utagawa Kunisato

Japanese White-eyes and Persimmons (Kaki ni mejiro), 1843-1847
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Nakayama Sugakudo

Golden-crested wren and sasanqua (Kikuitadori sazanka), 1859
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Utagawa Hiroshige

Small Bird and Chrysanthemums (Kiku ni kotori), 1830's
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Utagawa Hiroshige

The everlasting chrysanthemum (Toshigiku), 1843-1847
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Shunpudo Noshiro Ryuko, block carver

Chrysanthemums and butterflies (Kiku to botan), 1789
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Utagawa Sadahide

Java sparrow and rice plants (Kome no hana ni suzume), 1834
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Utagawa Hiroshige

Japanese White-eyes and Maples (Benikaede ni mejiro), 1854.2
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Renzan Takanobu

Ivy and old well (Furuido to tsuta), 1840's
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Utagawa Hiroshige

Wild Geese and Moon (Tsuki ni gan), 1830s
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Kobayashi Kiyochika

Morning glories on bamboo stakes (Asagao), 1879
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Utagawa Hiroshige

Morning Glories (Asagao), 1854, 2nd month
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Utagawa Hiroshige

Cockerel, umbrella and morning glories (Asagao ni tori to kasa), 1830's
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Utagawa Hiroshige

Japanese Morning Glories (Asagao), 1843-1847

More objects +

Exhibition Checklist

Of Clover and Chrysanthemum : Autumn Themes in Japanese Woodblock Prints

September 1 - December 12, 2010
View Checklist PDF

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