About this artwork
This print features a New Year design with a biwa (a musical instrument) resting against white and red plum branches, symbols of the New Year. Tanomura Shosai’s signature also reads: shihitsu (“the first painting of the year”).
The design on the biwa was added by a different artist. Signed Jomu in an immature hand, it may have been done by a young apprentice or son of the artist. The New Year was traditionally a time for beginnings, and new artists were introduced to the wider world at this time, usually accompanied by an older, more established figure. This print may mark the debut of a new artist.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of Asia
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Artist
- Tanomura Shosai
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Title
- Plums and Biwa
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Place
- Japan (Artist's nationality)
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Date
- 1860–1869
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Medium
- Color woodblock print; surimono
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Dimensions
- 25.6 × 19.2 cm (10 1/8 × 7 9/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Charles H. Mitchell Collection unrestricted gift
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Reference Number
- 1972.1869
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/43327/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
