Fly whisk (Hossu)

1920

Not on view

Like his forebears, Hayakawa Shōkosai III created works for use in sencha practices, including this fly whisk. An attribute of Bodhidharma, a semilegendary Buddhist monk, the fly whisk symbolizes the sweeping away of mental distractions and ignorance. Chinese Daoist sages are often represented using the implement to brush away flies while engaged in “pure conversation” with friends. At literati gatherings, such whisks were hung next to the alcove, or tokonoma.

Artwork Details

三代早川尚古斎造　払子
Title: Fly whisk (Hossu)
Artist: Hayakawa Shōkosai III (Japanese, 1864–1922)
Period: Taishō period (1912–26)
Date: 1920
Culture: Japan
Medium: Ladyfinger bamboo, rattan, and deer hide
Dimensions: 24 1/4 × 2 1/4 × 3 in. (61.6 × 5.7 × 7.6 cm)
Classification: Bamboo
Credit Line: Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey, 2019
Object Number: 2019.424.6
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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By Hayakawa Shōkosai III

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Dancing Frog Flower Basket (Hanakago), Hayakawa Shōkosai III Japanese, Twisted (henchiku) bamboo and rattan, Japan — Dancing Frog Flower Basket (Hanakago)
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