Title : A Mother and Child with Goldfish

Artist : Katsushika Hokusai

Date : c. 1805

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : This print is an example of surimono, specially commissioned prints usually ordered by cultural groups like poetry and calligraphy circles. Such organizations often privately published booklet/albums of their works, with illustrations made by well-known ukiyo-e artists. Here Hokusai depicts a mature woman (probably a maternal figure) on the right who is breeding goldfish. The focal point, however, consists of a younger lady and a boy who are in the center of the composition. The irises and small wooden bridges in the pond that occupies the background are classical references that demonstrate Hokusai’s training in the Rinpa School, the striking designs of which were popularized by Ogata Körin (1658-1716). The print originally would have had attached poems, which have since been trimmed off, making it difficult to identify the subject exactly. Nevertheless, the print clearly shows the popularity of breeding goldfish by Hokusai’s time. “Midsummer Night’s Pleasure” 08/05/2010-10/10/20100 *************************

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