Pair of Mandarin Ducks and Iris Flowers
Medium
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
7 5/8 x 6 3/4 in. (19.4 x 17.1 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
JP2181
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the serene world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Kubo Shunman's *Pair of Mandarin Ducks and Flowers* captures nature's poetic harmony through the delicate art of surimono—a luxurious woodblock print commissioned for private occasions like New Year's greetings or poetry gatherings. Created with ink and vibrant color on paper, this intimate 7 5/8 x 6 3/4 in. gem showcases Shunman's mastery as a ukiyo-e and poet, blending precise carving techniques with subtle gradients (bokashi) for lifelike feathers and petals. Mandarin ducks, depicted as a devoted pair, hold deep cultural symbolism in Jap...
About the Artist
Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820
Japanese, 1757–1820