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Calligraphy: "Bird" in seal script, plus two lines

Accession Number
2003/1.400

Title
Calligraphy: "Bird" in seal script, plus two lines

Artist(s)
Mitsui Shinwa

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1740-1783

Medium & Support
ink on paper

Dimensions
39 5/8 in. x 11 1/4 in. ( 100.6 cm x 28.6 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Helmut Stern

Subject matter
The uppermost largest character uses tensho, an archaic seal script while the rest of the scroll is in kaisho, the standard form of script. The artist Mitsui Shinwa, also known as Mitsui Shinna, was a celebrated master of calligraphy and seal carving hence his use of tensho in this piece. Because his work was celebrated during his time, this piece would most likely have belonged to a wealthy individual who could afford such a renowned artist's work.  

Physical Description
This is a hanging scroll of calligraphy. On the uppermost section is one large character. Underneath it is two lines. There are three different sized of fonts on this scroll, the uppermost character is the largest. On the right, there are four characters of the medium-sized font. On the left are two or three characters (it is difficult to read) of the medium writing followed by the smallest size of writing directly below. There is a total of three red seals. One on the upper right, on the corner of the largest character, and two on the bottom left next to the small font line.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
calligraphy

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
Birds
calligraphy

2 Related Resources

Japan Pax Tokugawa 1600-1868
(Part of: Empires and Colonialism)
Seal Script
(Part of: ASIAN 244--Virtual Field trip)

& Author Notes

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