Swallows and Budding Wild Cherry

ca. 1835

Not on view

The poem is unsigned, as is often the case with poems on Hiroshige’s bird-and-flower prints, but the verse is known to be by Takarai Kikaku (Enomoto Kikaku, 1661–1707), a professional poet who numbered among the top disciples of Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694). Swallows (tsubame) are common subjects in haikai set in spring, as in this example:

山の端に　乙鳥をかへす　入日かな　宝井其角

Yama no ha ni
tsubame o kaesu
irihi kana

The setting sun—
over the mountain ridge
sends the swallows home.
—Trans. John T. Carpenter

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

歌川広重画山桜に燕
Title: Swallows and Budding Wild Cherry
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1797–1858 Tokyo (Edo))
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1835
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print
Dimensions: 15 1/8 x 5 1/8 in. (38.4 x 13 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
Object Number: JP2531
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Swallows and Wild Cherry, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print, Japan — Swallows and Wild Cherry
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1834

Small View of Yedo, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Print, Japanese — Small View of Yedo
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Hiratsuka, Nawate Do, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Hiratsuka, Nawate Do
Utagawa Hiroshige
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Yokkaichi, Sanchokawa, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Yokkaichi, Sanchokawa
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1834

Snow on the Sumida River, Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Snow on the Sumida River
Utagawa Hiroshige
ca. 1835

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