Hives with Wasps, and a Box with a Spoon for Honey

Art Historical Context

Kubo Shunman's *Hives with Wasps and a Box with a for Honey* (19th century) is a delicate woodblock printsurimono), measuring just 8 x 7 3/16 inches, showcasing the artist's mastery in the ukiyo-e tradition of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868). This intimate scene captures beehives buzzing with wasps alongside a simple wooden box holding a honey spoon, rendered in vibrant inks and colors on paper. Shunman, a versatile poet and printmaker, often infused his works with playful observations of nature, blending realism with subtle whimsy. Surimono were luxurious, privately commissioned prints, typically produced for elite poetry gatherings or New Year's celebrations, distinguished by their small scale, fine craftsmanship, and sometimes extravagant techniques like embossing or mica dusting. Here, the meticulous carving of woodblocks allowed for rich textures—the translucent wings of wasps, the sticky gleam of honey—evoking everyday wonders amid Japan's urbanizing society. Insects, a favored motif in Japanese art, symbolized transience and the beauty of the ephemeral, aligning with Edo aesthetics. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's H. O. Havemeyer Collection (1929), this print invites visitors to appreciate how Shunman elevated humble subjects into poetic treasures, bridging art, nature, and cultural ritual.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820