Object data
nishikie, with blindprinting
height 225 mm × width 191 mm
Ryûryûkyo Shinsai
Rolls of Fabric
Japan, Japan, Japan, Japan, Japan, c. 1820
Inscriptions
- collector's mark, verso, stamped
Provenance
…; collection Heinz M. Kaempfer (1904-86) (collector's mark);…; purchased from the dealer Hotei Japanese Prints, Leiden, by J.H.W. Goslings (1943-2011), Epse, near Deventer, 1988;1 by whom donated to the museum, 1991
Object number: RP-P-1991-650
Credit line: Gift of J.H.W. Goslings, Epse
Copyright: Public domain
Context
Senshuroa [Katamaru, earlier Yashoku Katamaru, a judge of the Kandagawa].2 Kano3 has a Horaisha, also known as Shurakuen Toshizumi, from Sakai in Izumi Province, a judge of the Gogawa. It is difficult to ascertain whether this is the same as the Rinshutei Toshizumi here. As for Senshuro, his identity is further complicated by Kano4 which has Senshuro Katamaru, earlier Yashiki Katamaru, a judge of the Kandagawa, whereas Suga5 considers Senshuro Katamaru as identical to Jigyodo Katamaru.Kano, however, treats these as different people, Jigyodo Katamaru (1758-1823) being identified as a judge of the Suichikugawa.6
The artist
Ryuryukyo Shinsai (n.d., but often given as 1764?-1820; the latter date is definitely incorrect as his last known designs were issued in 1825) is said to have first been follower of Tawaraya Sori, and later of Katsushika Hokusai, who gave him the art-name Shinsai in 1800. His personal name was Masayuki. He was one of the most prolific designers of surimono in the early 19th century and thoroughly explored the possibilities of issuing works in titled series.
Entry
Four variously patterned rolls of silk crêpe fabric.
Four poems by Kashutei Kurimaru, Senyoro Mizugaki, Rinshutei Toshizumi and Senshuro.
The first poem alludes to the red cloth:
Mist reflects the deep red morning sun upon the lingering snow - like a printed silk crêpe.
The second reads:
As though they are wearing court trousers of finely-patterned crêpe - the distant mountains shrouded in mist.
The other two poems also refer to silk crêpes.
Issued by followers of the poet Senshuro Katamaru
Signature reading: Shinsai
Literature
M. Forrer, Surimono in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Leiden 2013, no. 360
Citation
M. Forrer, 2013, 'Ryûryûkyo Shinsai, Rolls of Fabric, Japan, c. 1820', in Surimono from the Goslings Collection in the Rijksmuseum, online coll. cat. Amsterdam: hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.432522
(accessed 20 September 2024 05:47:08).