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Matching Shells (Kai-awase), “Kisen Hōshi,” from the series Modern Parodies of the Six Poetic Immortals (Yatsushi rokkasen: Kisen Hōshi)

ca. 1796–98
Not on view
This image captures the vogue for half-length portraits of beauties that became a trademark of Chōbunsai Eishi’s contemporary, Kitagawa Utamaro (ca. 1753–1806). In accordance with the series title, it employs the parodic device by which figures of the past are depicted in contemporary guise, sometimes as a person of lower status or a different gender. Here, the Heian-period monk-poet Kisen Hōshi is represented by a courtesan holding a shell decorated with a painting that recalls Chapter 45 of The Tale of Genji, “The Divine Princess at Uji Bridge.” In that episode, Kaoru, Genji’s supposed son, visits Princess Ōigimi in Uji.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 鳥文斎栄之画　「畧六花撰　喜撰法師」
  • Title: Matching Shells (Kai-awase), “Kisen Hōshi,” from the series Modern Parodies of the Six Poetic Immortals (Yatsushi rokkasen: Kisen Hōshi)
  • Artist: Chōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756–1829)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: ca. 1796–98
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Polychrome woodblock ōban print; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: 14 15/16 x 9 3/4 in. (37.9 x 24.8 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
  • Object Number: JP1786
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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On loan to The Met
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Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)

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The Oiran Segawa of Matsubaya (the House of Pine), Chōbunsai Eishi Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan
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Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese
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Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
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