Accession Number1955/1.262
TitlePortrait of Princess Soto'ori
Artist(s)Tosa MitsuokiArtist NationalityJapanese (culture or style)Object Creation Datelate 17th centuryMedium & Supportink and color on silkDimensions 38 1/2 in x 14 in (97.8 cm x 35.6 cm);38 1/2 in x 14 in (97.8 cm x 35.6 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Province M. HenryLabel copyIn this intimate portrait, Princess Ito’ori smiles with anticipation, having just spotted a spider coming down from the ceiling. This curious imagery alludes to a Heian period (794–1185) belief that a woman could foretell in the dancing motions of a spider the swift approach of her lover.
Tosa Mitsuoki was a member of the Tosa family of painters, who were known for their use of vivid colors, fine details, and subject matter from the classical era. When Mitsuoki inherited his father’s position, the Tosa school had entered its decline; he revived it by incorporating the style of the Kanô school, the dominant art school in Edo-period Japan. As a result, Mitsuoki and subsequent Tosa painters were able to enjoy the patronage of the powerful samurai class.
(Label for UMMA Japanese Gallery Opening Rotation, March 2009)
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Label copyTosa Mitsuoki
Japanese, 1617–1691
Portrait of Princess Soto'ori
Edo period (1615–1868)
2nd half of 17th century
Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Province M. Henry, 1955/1.262
In this intimate portrait, the legendary beauty and poet Princess Soto’ori smiles with anticipation, having just spotted a spider coming down from the ceiling. In the Heian period (794–1185) it was believed that a woman could foretell in the dancing motions of a spider the swift approach of her lover; one of Soto’ori’s poems describes a spider making a nest and the expectation of a lover’s arrival.
Tosa Mitsuoki was a member of the Tosa family of painters, who were known for their use of vivid colors, fine details, and subject matter from the classical era. When Mitsuoki inherited his father’s position, the Tosa school had entered its decline; he revived it by incorporating the style of the Kanô school, the dominant art school in Edo-period Japan. As a result, Mitsuoki and subsequent Tosa painters were able to enjoy the patronage of the powerful samurai class.
Subject matterSoto'ori-hime was the younger sister of Ôsaka no Onakatsu hime, the wife of Inkyô tennô (412-453 CE) whom that Emperor installed in his palace. She was of peerless beauty and a poetess. She is often represented as a Court Lady, holding in her hand a shuttle, or in the act of weaving, being credited with the introduction of silk weaving into Japan.
Physical DescriptionThis hanging scroll depicts a female figure sitting against a blank background. She wears multiple layers of kimono. Her hair is black and long, and her face white. She is watching a spider, descending from ceiling; her arms are extending in front as if she is trying to catch it. A screen of white and brown fabric is on her right, and an oil lamp with flame is on the other side. Three rolls of paper are placed in front of her. The artist's signature and seal are on the left lower corner.
The painting is mounted on light blue brocade with designs of auspicious characters and objects, including treasures, double gourds, and the character for “longevity". The sides are made of golden brocade, but the gold foil is almost worn out.
Warm holes on the upper right side, some small stains and dark lines on the top and near the face of the figure. Two repaired damages on the lower right corner. Some warm holes on the mounting as well. The wooden scroll bar is black lacquered.
Primary Object Classification Painting Primary Object Typehanging scrollAdditional Object Classification(s)PaintingCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
Araneae (order)
Tosa School
figures (representations)
kimonos
literary theory
princesses
royalty (nobility)
