Still Life: Double Cherry-Blossom Branch, Telescope, Sweet Fish, and Tissue Case

ca. 1804–13
Not on view
The two poems in the upper part of the print were composed by Asakusa-an (1755–1821) and his contemporary Teika-an on the theme of cherry blossoms. In this pleasing composition, the motifs are limited to double cherry blossoms, a telescope, a pair of sweet fish, and a tissue case. The combination of such objects in a pictorial image is mysteriously suggestive.

Hokusai's signature reads Gakyōjin Hokusai ga ("painted by the madman of painting, Hokusai").

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Still Life: Double Cherry-Blossom Branch, Telescope, Sweet Fish, and Tissue Case
  • Artist: Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1760–1849 Tokyo (Edo))
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: ca. 1804–13
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: 8 1/8 x 10 11/16 in. (20.6 x 27.1 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
  • Object Number: JP1870
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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