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Portrait of the Poet 'Basho'

Accession Number
1968/2.22

Title
Portrait of the Poet 'Basho'

Artist(s)
Yokoi Kinkoku

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
late 18th century - early 19th century

Medium & Support
album leaf mounted as hanging scroll, ink and color on paper

Dimensions
8 1/2 in. x 7 1/4 in. ( 21.6 cm x 18.4 cm )

Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund

Subject matter
Yokoi Kinkoku was a student of the Bashō-revivalist poet and nanga painter Yosa Buson, suggesting that Kinkoku's depiction of Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694) was part of a mid-Edo period resurgance in the poet's popularity. Bashō was celebrated for both his haiku and haikai renga. The latter of these genres was a form of satircal linked verse composed in groups, and Bashō's work in the genre became immitated by Buson and his followers. 

Physical Description
This portrait of the poet Matsuo Bashō is constructed with seemingly effortless caligraphic lines, and surrounded by lines from one of the poet's works. The figure sits looking out at the viewer, beside his hat and a square container with a handle. The artist's seal is placed to the left of the figure, visually recalling the objects beside the poet on his other side. 

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If 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
Japan
album leaf
calligraphy
full-length
hanging scroll
hats
monks
poetry
seated

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted