The Monkey Seal
Osa Toho
spring 1884
Medium
Color woodblock print; surimono
Dimensions
25 × 18.6 cm (9 7/8 × 7 3/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
43620
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This relatively late surimono celebrates the year of the monkey with a small image of the animal embracing a peach on top of a small seal. By the end of the 19th century, surimono prints were losing popularity. The theme of change is highlighted in this print, which features two seals inscribed with different calendar systems. The monkey seal, which seems to stand unused, depicts the cyclical calendar imported from China. The other seal, which is red with ink and ready to use, shows the new, pur...