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Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重, The everlasting chrysanthemum (Toshigiku), Edo Period. Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Of Clover and Chrysanthemum

Autumn Themes in Japanese Woodblock Prints
September 1 - December 12, 2010
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重, The everlasting chrysanthemum (Toshigiku), Edo Period. Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Introduction

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.

Deborah Del Gais

Related Objects

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Balloon Flowers and Chinese Silver Grass (Susuki to kikyô), Edo Period

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Small Bird and Chrysanthemums (Kiku ni kotori), Edo Period

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Japanese White-eyes and Maples (Benikaede ni mejiro), Edo (Japanese period)

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Cockerel umbrella and morning glories (Asagao ni tori to kasa), Edo Period

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Crane and autumn grasses (Hagi to susuki ni tsuru), Edo Period

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Morning Glories (Asagao), Edo Period

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

The everlasting chrysanthemum (Toshigiku), Edo Period

Renzan Takanobu

Ivy and old well (Furuido to tsuta), Edo Period
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Of Clover and Chrysanthemum : Autumn Themes in Japanese Woodblock Prints

September 1 - December 12, 2010
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