Ono no Tofu Standing on the Bank of a Stream and Watching a Frog Leap to Catch a Willow Branch

ca. 1825

Not on view

Classical subjects, from both literature and history, often attracted the surimono artists. Strolling by a stream, Ono no Tofu (894–964), a court calligrapher, dejectedly thinks about resigning from the court. He stops to watch a determined frog attempt a high upward leap onto a willow branch. After countless futile efforts, the frog finally succeeds. Inspired by its perseverance, Ono no Tofu decides to stay on.

Artwork Details

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Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Ono no Tofu Standing on the Bank of a Stream and Watching a Frog Leap to Catch a Willow Branch
Artist: Totoya Hokkei (Japanese, 1780–1850)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1825
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 8 5/8 x 7 5/8 in. (21.9 x 19.4 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Estate of Samuel Isham, 1914
Object Number: JP1035
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Young Shoot of Bamboo, Totoya Hokkei Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Young Shoot of Bamboo
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Lobster on a Piece of Charcoal, Totoya Hokkei Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Lobster on a Piece of Charcoal
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Helmet and Plum Blossoms, Totoya Hokkei Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Helmet and Plum Blossoms
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Woman in the Rain at Midnight Driving a Nail into a Tree to Invoke Evil on Her Unfaithful Lover, Totoya Hokkei Japanese, Part of an album of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Woman in the Rain at Midnight Driving a Nail into a Tree to Invoke Evil on Her Unfaithful Lover
Totoya Hokkei
19th century

Inland Sea near Tosa, Totoya Hokkei Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Inland Sea near Tosa
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