Beneath the Willow
Tsukioka Sessai · after 1778 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Guide
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From the museum
Two young women cool themselves by a river as a willow blows in the breeze. One crouches down to rinse a hand towel, while the other sits with her chin balanced on her fan. Beside her is a black lacquer tray with a floral design in gold, holding her tobacco kit. Tsukioka Tessai was an Osaka-based ukiyo-e artist who was especially respected for his representations of beautiful women (bijin). The court bestowed upon him the rank Bridge of the Law (hokyo) in 1778, and he was eventually elevated in rank to Eye of the Law (hogen). The willow tree may refer to the contemporary Edo fashion for elongated "willowy" beauties.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0
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Details
- Maker
- Tsukioka Sessai (Japanese, d. 1839)
- Date
- after 1778
- Medium
- Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions
- Overall: 94 x 33.2 cm (37 x 13 1/16 in.)
- Place of origin
- Japan
- Held by
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · Not on view
- Credit line
- The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith
Image: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0