Ōtsu-e of a Youth Holding Irises (Yarō)

Japan

Not on view

Irises are associated with youthful male beauty, and young men portrayed with irises is one of a number of ukiyo-e themes adapted by Ōtsu-e painters for their own compositions. Young Kabuki actors were called yarō during the early seventeenth century. This handsome youth holds a spray of irises in one hand and a sword in the other. He also wears a stylish robe emblazoned with calligraphy.

Ōtsu-e of a Youth Holding Irises (Yarō), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan

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Ōtsu-e of a Youth Holding Irises (Yarō), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan
Ōtsu-e of a Youth Holding Irises (Yarō), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan

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