Tiger (Tora): Kashiwade no Omi Hatebe, from the series Bravery Matched with the Twelve Animals of the Zodiac (Buyū mitate jūnishi) 「かしわで 寅」 『武勇見立十二支』

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At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 1840
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Ink and color on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W (overall): 36.6 x 12.5 cm (14 7/16 x 4 15/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    S2004.3.168.3
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S2004.3.168.3

Object Details

  • Artist

    Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳 (1798-1861)
  • Publisher

    Minatoya Kohei (Kinsendo) 湊屋小兵衛 (active ca. 1841–1862)
  • Label

    The tiger in this print is paired with the warrior Kashiwade no Omi Hatebe, who is recorded in the Chronicle of Japan (Nihon shoki, 720), the earliest official history of Japan. Here, as an envoy to Korea, he attacks the tiger who killed his child. His exaggerated facial expression and pose echo the style of staged combat in kabuki performances.
  • Collection

    National Museum of Asian Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    The Life of Animals in Japanese Art (May 18 to August 18, 2019)
    Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection (September 15, 2002 to January 9, 2003)
  • Origin

    Japan
  • Credit Line

    The Anne van Biema Collection
  • Type

    Print
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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