Shadows without Shading (Kuma naki kage)

1867

Not on view

This book is a collection of silhouette portraits of a group of literary friends. Each page includes a short biography with an illustration, a shadow portrait and a kyōka (satirical poem). The title of the book suggests a double meaning: "shadows without shading," and probably also "shadows without hidden thoughts inside." Rather than depicted realistically, the figures in shadows may be portrayed as their true selves, revealing unreserved thoughts in their satirical poems. Zeshin designed the frontispiece for this lavishly printed volume.

Silhouette, portraits done in this manner were in fashion particularly about the mid-nineteenth century. This book is one of the representative examples of the form.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Shadows without Shading (Kuma naki kage)
Artist: Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807–1891) , and others
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 1867
Culture: Japan
Medium: Polychrome woodblock printed book
Dimensions: 9 7/8 × 7 × 1/2 in. (25.1 × 17.8 × 1.3 cm)
Classification: Illustrated Books
Credit Line: The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
Object Number: JIB117
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Shibata Zeshin

In the same medium

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Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse), Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Roiro (waxen) lacquer with black hiramakie sprinkled and polished lacquer and takamakie sprinkled and polished lacquer relief; Interior: roiro; Netsuke: lacquer in shape of a worn ink stick; Ojime: black lacquer bead, Japan — Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse)
Shibata Zeshin
19th century

Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, color, takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, Japan — Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet
Shibata Zeshin
19th century

Rising Sun, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan — Rising Sun
Shibata Zeshin
second half of the 19th century

Three Men Looking at Framed Lacquer Drawing, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Album leaf; lacquer on gold paper, Japan — Three Men Looking at Framed Lacquer Drawing
Shibata Zeshin

Village among Rocks, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Colored lacquers on paper, Japan — Village among Rocks
Shibata Zeshin
19th century

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