Iris — 菖蒲
- Date:
- 1897
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
Typical Price
Key value factors: As self-carved and self-printed works, sosaku-hanga value is tied to the artist's reputation and edition size. Larger formats, earlier editions, and historically significant works command the highest prices.
- Common examples: $100–$500
- Good impressions: $500–$2,000
- Premium/scarce: $2,000–$10,000
Description
"Iris" (菖蒲, shobu/ayame, 1897) depicts the Japanese iris in bloom — the elegant flower associated with the Boys' Festival, with the banks of rivers and ponds, and with the specific month of May or June in the traditional seasonal calendar. Shuntei renders the iris with botanical precision: the distinctive form of the petals, the sword-like leaves, the characteristic relationship of flower to stem. Whether the iris appears alongside figures or as a pure floral subject, its treatment reflects his awareness of the flower's position in both the kacho-ga tradition and the broader context of seasonal celebration.
