The First Katsuo of the Season

This painting is a presentation of still-life and poetry on hanging scroll format. The painted image features assorted vegetables, plate, cup, lacquer box, a sprig of wisteria, and, most prominently, a fresh bonito on a large blue and white charger. Above the painting are inscribed twelve poems, signed by poets who were members of the same circle or club.

Maker(s)
Artist: Totoya Hokkei 魚屋北渓 (1780-1850)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, late 18th-mid 19th century
Medium
Ink and color on silk
Dimensions
H x W (image): 108.2 × 54.9 cm (42 5/8 × 21 5/8 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1996.32a-g
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Hanging scroll

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), fish, Japan, kakemono, poems, surimono, wisteria
Provenance

Hutchinson Collection [1]

1996
Sale, London, Sotheby’s, Japanese Prints, Paintings and Works of Art, November 13, 1996, Sale #LN6704, lot 13: “Totoya Hokkei (1780-1850): The First Katsuo of the Season” [2]

1996
David Newman, London, purchased at Sale, London, Sotheby’s, Japanese Prints, Paintings and Works of Art, November 13, 1996, Sale #LN6704” [3]

From 1996
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from David Newman, London [4]

Notes:

[1] According to Sotheby’s, London auction catalogue for Sale#LN5704, the hanging scroll was previously in the collection of Hutchinson.

[2] See object file, Collections Management Office.

[3] See note 2.

[4] See Acquisition Consideration Form, object file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

David Newman
Sotheby's (London)
Joshua Hutchinson Hutchinson ca. 1829-1891

Description

This painting is a presentation of still-life and poetry on hanging scroll format. The painted image features assorted vegetables, plate, cup, lacquer box, a sprig of wisteria, and, most prominently, a fresh bonito on a large blue and white charger. Above the painting are inscribed twelve poems, signed by poets who were members of the same circle or club.

Inscription(s)

Above the painting are inscribed twelve poems, signed by poets who were members of the same circle or club.

Last poem signed: Nanseishi Shunkin

Marking(s)

Red seal: Hokkei.

Published References
  • Auction Catalogue, 10/13/1996. London, 1996. lot 13.
  • Hokusai and His School, Paintings, Drawings and Illustrated Books. Exh. cat. Harlem. cat. 32, p. 48.
  • Japanse Kunst uit Nederlands Particulier Bezit: tentoonstelling georganiseerd door de Vereniging voor Japanse Kunst in het Singer Museum te Laren. Lochem. p. 131, pl. 27.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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