Bonito (Katsuo)

Maker(s)
Artist: Utagawa Toyohiro 歌川豊広 (1773-1828)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, ca. 1832
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, ivory roller knobs
Dimensions
H x W (image): 88.5 x 28.6 cm (34 13/16 x 11 1/4 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Gift of John Fuegi and Jo Francis
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1997.38
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Hanging scroll

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), fish, Japan, kakemono
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

Using appetizing touches of color, this painting depicts a freshly caught ocean fish known as bonito displayed at the fishmonger's on a piece of bamboo grass to protect its flavor. During the Edo period (1615-1868), bonito became a favored delicacy of late spring and summer, especially when served raw in slices called sashimi. The poem, inscribed by an unidentified writer, incorporates punning references to fish, but its meaning has not yet been deciphered.

Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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