Northern Goshawk In A Blooming Plum Tree (Umehana Ni O-Taka)

Artist Utagawa Toyohiro 歌川豊広 (Japanese, 1773–1828)

Dateearly 19th century

Mediumwoodblock print; ink and color on paper; oban

Dimensions33.6 x 22.2 cm (13 1/4 x 8 3/4 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.59.2091

Descriptionbird: Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentiles); flower: plum blossoms (prunus mume)
Label TextToyohiro depicted the majestic goshawk, perched on a plum-tree branch and profiled against the rising New Year sun, in a style reminiscent of Kano-school painting. The red color and streak of morning mist lend intensity to the bird's keen-eyed expression while the green shading, hovering over the lower edge, suggests the promise of new growth. The plum blossoms, celebrated for their sweet scent, have also opened, announcing the end of winter. In his death poem, entitled "Early Spring" composed on the 25th day of the twelfth month, 1783, the poet and artist Yosa Buson speaks of the miracle of transformation and the beginning of new life: With plum-blossom white, These nights to the light of dawn Are turning. Shiraume ni / akuru yo bakari / to narinikeriProvenanceJohn Bancroft Colelction

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