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Eggplant and Calligraphy

Ōtagaki Rengetsu

Artwork Details

Eggplant and Calligraphy
19th century
Ōtagaki Rengetsu
fan painting matted for framing, ink on paper
8 1/8 x 18 9/16 in. (20.64 x 47.15 cm);22 x 28 in. (55.88 x 71.12 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund
1964/1.98

Description

Subject Matter:

Best known as a poet, but she was also a talented potter, inscribing her poems on her wares, which were generally tea bowls or teapots of unglazed clay. Painted in a charming and delicate way, somewhat in the Shijō manner.
Roberts, Laurance Page, and John M. Rosenfield. A Dictionary of Japanese Artists: Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Prints, Lacquer. Weatherhill, 2000.

Physical Description:

Yo no naka ni               A fine example
mi no nariidete             of success to emulate
omou koto                    A lowely eggplant
nasu wa medetaki        ripens and brings forth fruit
tameshi narikeri           accomplishing its goal in life

Usage Rights:

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