Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Jay and Ural Owl
Jay and Ural Owl
Public domain: Image courtesy of the Worcester Art Museum.

Jay and Ural Owl

Artist (Japanese, early 1750s–1806)
Publisher (Japanese, 1750–1797)
Dateabout 1791
Mediumwoodblock print, ink and colors on paper
Dimensions22.9 x 34.4 cm (9 x 13 9/16 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection
Object number1901.59.2552
Label TextWhen curiosity about nature and experimental realism came into vogue in elite cultural circles in the late 18th century, Utamaro provided naturalistic studies for three anthologies of humorous poems (kyoka) about insects, seashells and birds. Catering to a sophisticated poet-clientele, Utamaro and the publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo urged block-carvers and printers to use the finest techniques, such as hair-thin lines, high quality pigments and subtle shading. The whitish cap with dark spots helps identify the Jay (kashidori / kakesu). It has a special call-"Jah-jah," but also imitates the song of other birds and mewing cats. My pledges / sung in voices / like those of the jay; / but even when I cry / you do not lend an ear. Kashidori no / tsutanaki koe ga /kudokedomo / nakedomo kimi no / mimi ni tomenu wa Oya no Urazumi The Ural Owl (fukuro) lacks ear tufts and has a characteristic pale-gray facial disc with dark brown eyes: You must have / the eyes of an owl! / How is it that / you come at night / but never during the day. Fukuro no / me wa mochinagara / ikanareba / yoru wa kuredomo / hiru mienu kimi Shingoken BirinProvenanceJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection
On View
Not on view
Collections
Image Not Available for Silkworm Culture, No. 4
Silkworm Culture, No. 4
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silkworm Culture, No. 5
Silkworm Culture, No. 5
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silkworm Culture, No. 8
Silkworm Culture, No. 8
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silk Worm Culture, No. 2
Silk Worm Culture, No. 2
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silk Worm Culture, No. 3
Silk Worm Culture, No. 3
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silkworm Culture, No. 9
Silkworm Culture, No. 9
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silk Worm Culture, No. 1
Silk Worm Culture, No. 1
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silkworm Culture, No. 7
Silkworm Culture, No. 7
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silkworm Culture, No. 10
Silkworm Culture, No. 10
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century
Image Not Available for Silkworm Culture, No. 12
Silkworm Culture, No. 12
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th century
Image Not Available for Woman Reading
Woman Reading
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th century
Image Not Available for Silkworm Culture, No. 11
Silkworm Culture, No. 11
Kitagawa Utamaro I 喜多川 歌麿
18th Century