Artwork Page for The Cave Door of Spring

Details / Information for The Cave Door of Spring

The Cave Door of Spring

春磐戸

1825

Totoya Hokkei 魚屋 北渓

(Japanese, 1780–1850)
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Culture
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Medium
pentaptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Measurements
Each: 18.8 x 21.4 cm (7 3/8 x 8 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of James Parmelee 1940.990
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

These prints form a composition inspired by a story about the deity Amaterasu. She was once so offended by her brother that she retreated into a cave, leaving the earth in darkness. Several attempts to lure her out with cocks crowing, music-making, and a goddess dancing failed, but a mirror hung from a nearby tree made Amaterasu curious, bringing her to the entrance of the cave. A stone was quickly placed at the entrance to block her way back into the cave, and light was restored to the world. The scene across the prints is unified by embossed clouds enriched with gold, silver, and copper.

The Cave Door of Spring

1825

Totoya Hokkei

(Japanese, 1780–1850)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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