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Sound of Waves (Tosei)

1901

Japanese, 1870 - 1931

In this pair of striking golden screens, a fierce eagle with its wings widely open perches on a rugged rock on the seashore, overpowering the choppy waves below. The visual impact was amplified by the stunning golden background, against which the eagle was depicted in dark ink. The eagle is an auspicious motif in Japan, as the Japanese word for “eagle” (taka) is a homophone with a word that has felicitous meanings, such as “noble.” Kako painted this auspicious picture during the New Year's holiday in 1901.

Ink and color on gold paper

67 5/16 x 144 in. (171 x 366 cm)

Gift of Henry and Mary Ann James

98.45.1

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Flights of Fancy: Natural and Supernatural Images In Japanese Art, Dec. 9, 1998 - Aug. 1, 1999.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view July 16 - Dec. 5, 2021].

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

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