Crow amid Cherry Blossoms

ca. 1903

Japanese, 1862-1918

Hobun, more than any of his nihonga contemporaries, was renowned as a painter of flowers. He was especially associated with the depiction of Japan's iconic cultural symbol, the cherry blossom, which imparts to Hobun's work a flavor of nationalism. In this painting the frilly leaves of the double-layered yaezakura cherry are contrasted with a solitary crow, its alert body poised to capture a passing insect.

Ink and colors on silk

80 1/2 x 31 1/8 in. (204.5 x 79.1 cm)

Gift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2010.41.2

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, "Transforming Traditions: Japanese and Korean Art since 1800", May 23, 2009 - February 21, 2010

Published ReferencesMichiyo, Morioka; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 112-113, illus. 18.

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