Frog and Spray of Kerria Japonica
c. 1815 - c. 1820
Medium
nishikie, with metallic pigments and embossing
Dimensions
192; 171
About this artwork
Legaat van J.A. Bierens de Haan, Amsterdam
Art Historical Context
**Frog and Spray Kerria Japonica** Chôtei Hisaz, created around 1815–1820, captures a delicate moment in: a frog perched amid the vibrant yellow blooms of kerria japonica, a spring flower in Japanese culture symbolizing renewal and fleeting beauty. This intimate woodblock print, measuring just 192 × 171 mm, reflects the Edo-period fascination with the natural world, where such motifs often evoked poetic sentiments in haiku or waka traditions. Rendered in *nishikie*—the luxurious "brocade print" technique featuring vibrant, multi-block colors—Hisazumi elevates the scene with metallic pigments,...