Bamboo Poetry Sheet

Description

This print is an example of the many large-scale surimono that Shibata Zeshin created during the Meiji period (1868–1912). These differ from the smaller surimono in this exhibition in several ways. Smaller surimono usually displayed poetry made by a small group of poets that lived in the same location and belonged to the same group. They also carried a strong seasonal component and were typically created for a specific time of year, such as the New Year, or a significant date for the group, such as a retirement, birthday, or important visitor from afar.

The larger prints retained this seasonal component but took on stronger commemorative roles by including bigger groups of people, sometimes unrelated to the poetry club. In this print, the host is Tchikubai, possibly a poetry teacher with a sizable group of students.

Bamboo Poetry Sheet

Shibata Zeshin

fall 1860

Accession Number

43735

Medium

Color woodblock print; surimono

Dimensions

57 × 43 cm (22 1/2 × 16 15/16 in.)

Classification

woodblock print

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Charles H. Mitchell Collection unrestricted gift