Sparrows on Bamboo Branch
- Date:
- c. 1781–1806
- Medium:
- Woodblock print (sumizuri-e), ink on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 22.8 × 17.2 cm
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
A single bamboo stalk rises through the composition, its grey trunk banded with dark joints and flanked by clusters of pointed leaves rendered in black and grey ink. One sparrow perches on a knot in the trunk, body puffed and beak slightly open, while a second sparrow flies in below with wings spread and tail fanned; a column of vertical Japanese text and an artist's signature appear at the upper left and right. The print uses only black and grey tones on cream paper, consistent with a sumizuri-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, 1781.
More Prints by Kitagawa Utamaro
Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano)
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Hour of the Tiger (Tora no koku = 4 AM) from the series Twelve Hours in Yoshiwara (Seirô jûni toki tsuzuki), Late Edo period, circa 1794
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Ikebana arrangement of Peony and Willow in Dragon Pot
1781–1806
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
The Greatest Beauties of Our Time (Toji zensei bijin zoroe): Somenosuke of the Matsubaya with Attendants Wakagi and Wakaba
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More Birds & Flowers Prints
Frequently Asked Questions
Sparrows on Bamboo Branch was created by Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川歌麿) in c. 1781–1806.
Sparrows on Bamboo Branch depicts birds & flowers and trees.
Sparrows on Bamboo Branch measures 22.8 × 17.2 cm (Oban format).