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Courtesan Striking a Shuttlecock with a Battledore

Courtesan Striking a Shuttlecock with a Battledore

Artist/Maker (Japanese, 1686–1764)
Publisher
Date1704–16
MediumWoodblock print (sumizuri-e); ink on paper
DimensionsVertical ōōban; overall: 25 11/16 × 12 11/16 in. (65.3 × 32.2 cm)
Credit LineMary A. Ainsworth Bequest
Object number1950.202
Status
Not on view
More Information
Recognized as a highly skilled and innovative printmaker, Masanobu's long career spanned the development of printmaking from early monochrome prints to fullcolor woodblock prints. This print of a courtesan is designed in the kakemono, or "hanging scroll" format. Her swirling kimono, decorated with poetic verses written in calligraphic script, emphasizes her elegant movements as she turns to strike the shuttle cock. In his signature, Masanobu identifies himself as the "Yamato-style painter from Tobu," while a seal identifies his publisher Nishimura of Komagome.

Courtesan Striking a Shuttlecock was probably sold in Nishimura's shop located in the village of Komagome on the outskirts of Edo along the Kisokaido Road. The subject and style of Masanobu's print made an ideal image for purchase by travelers journeying between Japan's two major cities.
Exhibition History
Summer Asia Institute Exhibition
  • Kresge Art Center, Michigan State University (June 24, 1959 - July 30, 1959 )
Japanese Prints from the Ainsworth Collection
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (September 18, 1979 - October 21, 1979 )
Masterpieces of Japanese Prints from the Mary A. Ainsworth Collection
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (December 11, 1984 - January 27, 1985 )
Japanese Prints from the Mary A. Ainsworth Collection
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (May 20, 1986 - July 20, 1986 )
Japanese Woodblock Prints: Selections from the Mary A. Ainsworth Collection
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (May 1, 1992 - June 14, 1992 )
When Words Meet Pictures: East Asian Painting and Sculpture
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (August 25, 1994 - November 15, 1994 )
Quality and Technique in Prints
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (October 4, 1996 - December 22, 1996 )
Visions of Turmoil and Tranquility: Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Collection
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (September 17, 2005 - December 23, 2005 )
Ukiyo-e Prints from the Mary Ainsworth Collection
  • Chiba City Museum of Art, Chiba, Japan (April 13, 2019 - May 25, 2019 )
  • Shizuoka City Museum of Art, Shizuoka, Japan (June 8, 2019 - July 28, 2019 )
  • Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Osaka, Japan (August 10, 2019 - September 29, 2019 )
Ukiyo-e Prints from the Mary Ainsworth Collection
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (January 14, 2020 - December 6, 2020 )
Collections
  • Asian
This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator. Noticed a mistake? Have some extra information about this object? Please contact us.