Swimming at Okazaki
Artist/Culture
Toyohara Chikanobu
(Japanese, 1838–1912)
Publisherpublished by
Maruya Tetsujirō 丸屋 鉄次郎 (Kobayashi Tetsujirō 小林 鉄次郎)
(Japanese, 19th century)
DateJanuary 9, 1886
Mediumink and color on paper
Dimensions35.2 x 25.6 cm (13 7/8 x 10 1/16 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
MarkingsArtist's seal: toshidama
Credit LineHarriet B. Bancroft Fund
Object number1988.158
DescriptionOai no kata was born in Okazaki and was both beautiful and strong, although of low social status. One day while swimming in a river, young man tried to bother her, but she quickly defeated him. According to the descriptive cartouche, even the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu praised her courage. The inset shows Oai no kata wrestling with another assailant.ProvenanceIsrael Goldman, London
On View
Not on viewToyohara Chikanobu
printed and published 1887
Toyohara Chikanobu
March 5, 1897