37. HOKKEI (1780-1850). Benten. (Sold)
TOTOYA HOKKEI (1780-1850)
The Japanese goddess Benten depicted as an elegant Chinese lady.
She is leaning on a desk and watches the smoke coming out of a
censer that magically forms Mount Hōrai, the legendary island of
eternal life. Instead of the classical Japanese biwa, her usual
musical instrument, she holds a Chinese lute with the top carved in
the shape of a dragon’s head.
Woodblock colour print with metallic pigments details
Shikishiban surimono, 20,6x18,2 cm
Signed: Ōju Hokkei ga
Poems by Shio Hibimasu and Tatsuya
Privately published by the Asakusa-ren circle of poets
Dated on the cartouche in top right corner Tempō Mizunoe Tatsu
1832, year of the dragon
Provenance: seal of Hayashi Tadamasa
The impression from the Becker Collection is illustrated, described in
detail with the poems translated in McKee. Colored in the Year’s New
Light, no. 97.
Another example is in the New York Public Library no. 114093.2
Illustrated in our catalogue Surimono. Hokusai-Shinsai-Hokkei-Gakutei,
September 2024, no. 37.
Fine, colour and condition
Status: Sold
Item: D 454
The Japanese goddess Benten depicted as an elegant Chinese lady.
She is leaning on a desk and watches the smoke coming out of a
censer that magically forms Mount Hōrai, the legendary island of
eternal life. Instead of the classical Japanese biwa, her usual
musical instrument, she holds a Chinese lute with the top carved in
the shape of a dragon’s head.
Woodblock colour print with metallic pigments details
Shikishiban surimono, 20,6x18,2 cm
Signed: Ōju Hokkei ga
Poems by Shio Hibimasu and Tatsuya
Privately published by the Asakusa-ren circle of poets
Dated on the cartouche in top right corner Tempō Mizunoe Tatsu
1832, year of the dragon
Provenance: seal of Hayashi Tadamasa
The impression from the Becker Collection is illustrated, described in
detail with the poems translated in McKee. Colored in the Year’s New
Light, no. 97.
Another example is in the New York Public Library no. 114093.2
Illustrated in our catalogue Surimono. Hokusai-Shinsai-Hokkei-Gakutei,
September 2024, no. 37.
Fine, colour and condition
Status: Sold
Item: D 454