Artwork Page for Beneath the Willow

Details / Information for Beneath the Willow

Beneath the Willow

after 1778

Tsukioka Sessai 月岡雪斎

(Japanese, d. 1839)
Culture
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Measurements
Overall: 94 x 33.2 cm (37 x 13 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith 1985.273
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The willow tree may refer to the contemporary Edo fashion for elongated "willowy" beauties.

Description

Two young women cool themselves by a river as a willow blows in the breeze. One crouches down to rinse a hand towel, while the other sits with her chin balanced on her fan. Beside her is a black lacquer tray with a floral design in gold, holding her tobacco kit.

Tsukioka Tessai was an Osaka-based ukiyo-e artist who was especially respected for his representations of beautiful women (bijin). The court bestowed upon him the rank Bridge of the Law (hokyo) in 1778, and he was eventually elevated in rank to Eye of the Law (hogen).
A hanging scroll depicts two young women with white skin, red lips, and black hair fastened with combs sitting under a willow tree. Against a beige background, one crouches down by the river running across the lower left corner, a white cloth hanging from her hands. The other sits on a red cloth draped bench with her chin balanced on her fan. Both women wear floral patterned beige robes lined in red.

Beneath the Willow

after 1778

Tsukioka Sessai

(Japanese, d. 1839)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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