Untitled

Harukawa Goshichi

Date unknown · Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper · Asian Art

The kyōka ("mad poem") by Tsurunoya reads: Kumori naki I shōma no Kagami I kage susa wa I Dakki no shaku no I kyūbi saki kamo Referring to the legend of the manipulative and provoking Dafei, favorite concubine of King Zhou of the Shang dynasty, this poem asks: May not the tips of nine tails reflected in an unspotted mirror be the Nine-Tailed Fox? Surimono were privately commissioned prints for special occasions, such as New Year's. Both an unstained mirror and this magical animal are auspicious New Year's omens.

Artist

Harukawa Goshichi

Date

Date unknown

Medium

Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929