SUZUKI HARUNOBU (1725-1770)
Lot 114 JAPANESE PRINTS FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN COLLECTION

SUZUKI HARUNOBU (1725-1770)

Courtesan riding an ox: parody of Botange Shohaku

Closed16 March 2021

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USD 2,250

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SUZUKI HARUNOBU (1725-1770)
Courtesan riding an ox: parody of Botange Shohaku
Woodblock print, signed Harunobu ga, published circa 1769-70, framed and glazed
Hashira-e: 27 ½ x 4 7/8 in. (69.9 x 12.4 cm.)

Specialist note

A courtesan wearing an uchikake patterned with maple leaves sits on an ox holding a tobacco pipe. There is a peony spray attached to the ox's horn.
This print alludes to the poet Botange Shohaku (1443-1527) who lived a life of leisure, devoting his time to poetry, incense, flowers and wine. He was particularly fond of peonies, leading to his nickname Botange ('Peony-Flower') and it is said that he used to go out regularly on the back of an ox. The same print is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 21.4985.