23. HOKKEI (1780-1850). Ono no Tōfū. (Sold)

TOTOYA HOKKEI  (1780-1850)

Ono no Tōfū, a statesman and famous calligrapher from the Heian period,
is looking at a frog leaping up to grasp the branches of a
willow tree. The subject refers to a well known episode from his life
when the frog’s perseverance will encourage him to continue his
writing exercises.

Woodblock colour print with metallic pigments details
Shikishiban surimono, 22x19,5 cm
Signed: Hokkei
Poems by Shunkōtei Misako and Eminoya Tomohiro
Title: Ono no Tōfū.
From the series A Gathering of the Elders of Poetry (Shōshikai bantsuzuki).
At least ten designs in the series are known.
Privately published by the Hanazono-ren circle of poets
c. 1822

Another impression is illustrated in Mirviss. The Frank Lloyd Wright
Collection, no. 101 and discussed by John Carpenter on p. 51.
The example in the Rijksmuseum, no. RP-P-1958-375 is illustrated in
Forrer. Surimono in the Rijksmuseum, no. 291.
Another impression is in the New York Public Library no. 114093.2.

Illustrated in our catalogue Surimono. Hokusai-Shinsai-Hokkei-Gakutei, 
September 2024, no. 23.

Fine impression with extensive application of metallic pigments, fine colour and condition


Status: Sold

Item: D 453