This print depicts a fairly typical poetry reading-except that sparrows are substituted for humans. A distinguished poet, seated before a folding screen, recites his poems for a private audience. His wife and children are seated near him. While most members are attentive, a mother turns to hush adolescents in the back row. In the upper left corner there are twelve "haiku" poems by different writers. These poets were probably members of a poetry club that commissioned zeshin to design this print for a humorous new year's greeting. Date: between circa 1873 and circa 1891 (Meiji). Place of creation: Japan. Dimensions: height: 29.8 cm (11.7 in); width: 25 cm (9.8 in). Medium: pigments on mulberry paper. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Shibata Zeshin - A Poetry Reading - Walters 95157
Loading...
