Calligraphy, by Yashima Gakutei

An image of Calligraphy. Gakutei, Yashima (Japanese, 1786(?)-1868). Surimono. Colour print from woodblocks, with metallic pigment and blind embossing. c.1817. Poetry by Torosai Matsutoshi, Seigado (?) Norikata and Madono Murachiku (at the age of 74). Ukiyo-e. Notes: Number three in a set of the four traditional accomplishments. The other accomplishments were koto, go and painting. In this scene, a noble and two court ladies are practising a traditional New Year cultural activity, the year’s first use of the brush for calligraphy: this was usually a verse written on a sheet of fresh white paper expressing a wish for good fortune in the coming year. Here, the Chinese-style poem held aloft by the writer’s female assistant reads: ‘The spring breeze first comes with the fragrance of the plum tree in the garden.’

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Calligraphy. Gakutei, Yashima (Japanese, 1786(?)-1868). Surimono. Colour print from woodblocks, with metallic pigment and blind embossing. c.1817. Poetry by Torosai Matsutoshi, Seigado (?) Norikata and Madono Murachiku (at the age of 74). Ukiyo-e. Notes: Number three in a set of the four traditional accomplishments. The other accomplishments were koto, go and painting. In this scene, a noble and two court ladies are practising a traditional New Year cultural activity, the year’s first use of the brush for calligraphy: this was usually a verse written on a sheet of fresh white paper expressing a wish for good fortune in the coming year. Here, the Chinese-style poem held aloft by the writer’s female assistant reads: ‘The spring breeze first comes with the fragrance of the plum tree in the garden.’

Image data

Accession Number: P.299-1937
Photograph copyright © The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal length: 120
Camera: Hasselblad H4D-31
Photographer name: Sam Cole
Image height: 786 pixels
Image width: 1024 pixels
Processed with: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.0 (Windows)
Filesize: 194.39kB
Exposure time: 1/125
ISO Speed: 100
Fnumber: 22/1
Captured: 2017:07:24 11:35:18

Key words

19th Century accomplishments blind embossing bonsai tree calligrapher calligraphic calligraphy colour printing Edo Period embossed embossing female Fitz_PDP Gakutei Japan Japanese kimono ladies lady male metallic pigment noble pigment poem poetry poets print surimono trees ukiyo-e woman women woodblock woodcut writer writing Yashima Gakutei

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            The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024)
            "Calligraphy, by Yashima Gakutei"
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