窪俊満筆　大田南畝賛　石川雅望賛　浅草庵市人賛　四方真顔賛　時鳥図|Hototogisu

Art Historical Context

This exquisite hanging scroll, titled *Hototogisu* (Cuckoo), captures the delicate form of the Japanese cuckoo bird revered in poetry for heralding summer and evoking wistful longing. Painted by Kubo Shunman1770–1844?), a versatile Edo-period artist known for his ukiyo-e prints and refined paintings, it features ink and light color on silk. The work is enriched by poetic inscriptions (*zan*) from luminaries like Ōta Nanpo, a leading kyōka poet, Magao (Yomo Magao, or Rokujuen), Asakusaan Ichindo, and Yomo Magao, transforming it into a collaborative tribute among literati friends. Dating to the early 19th century during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), this 36-by-12-inch image exemplifies the hanging scroll format, ideal for intimate display in homes or during poetry gatherings. Shunman's technique blends precise ink lines with subtle washes, highlighting the bird's poised elegance against a minimalist background—a nod to both native bird-and-flower traditions and literati influences from China. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from the Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection in 2019, *Hototogisu* reflects the vibrant cultural circles of Edo Tokyo, where art, poetry, and nature intertwined. Visitors will appreciate how it immortalizes fleeting seasonal beauty, inviting reflection on Japan's enduring waka and haikai heritage.

About the Artist

Yomo Magao|Rokujuen 六樹園|Kubo Shunman|Asakusaan Ichindo|Ōta Nanpo (Japanese| |Japanese|Japanese|Japanese) · 1753 |1753 |1757 |1755 |1749 –1829 |1830 |1820 |1820 |1823

Japanese, 1753–1829|1753–1830|Japanese, 1757–1820|Japanese, 1755–1820|Japanese, 1749–1823