Turtles on a Rock

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), c. 1800 - c. 1805

Een familie van langharige schildpadden (minogame) op een rots met op de achtergrond de eerste zonsopgang van het nieuwe jaar. Langharige schildpadden staan symbool voor een lang en gelukkig leven, vanwege hun staart van zeewier. Deze staart zou een schildpad pas krijgen nadat ze minstens 1000 jaar oud waren. Met twee gedichten.

  • Artwork typeprint, surimono
  • Object numberRP-P-1991-628
  • Dimensionsheight 143 mm x width 193 mm
  • Physical characteristicsnishikie, with metallic pigments and embossing

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Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), 1807

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Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), 1809

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Dansende courtisane

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), 1807

Dansende courtisane

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai

Turtles on a Rock

Japan, Japan, c. 1800 - c. 1805

Provenance

…; purchased from the dealer Hotei Japanese Prints, Leiden, by J.H.W. Goslings (1943-2011), Epse, near Deventer, 1987;1Coll. cat. Goslings 1999, p. 46, cat. no. 96 by whom donated to the museum, 1991

Object number: RP-P-1991-628

Credit line: Gift of J.H.W. Goslings, Epse

Context

These two poets, or at least two poets with the same names - Shinyotei Zenko and Hyakujusai Hiromaru - also appear on an 1824 surimono designed by Kuniyasu.2Mirviss, Joan B. and John T. Carpenter, Jewels of Japanese Printmaking: Surimono of the Bunka-Bunsei Era 1804-1830 (Amerika no 3 josei ga atsumeta Bunka, Bunsei no shugyoku no surimono). Tokyo: Ota Memorial Museum of Art & Nihon Keizai Shinbun, 2000, p. 103. This is probably Hiromaru II, also known as the editor of a number of kyokabon for the Miyakodori poetry club issued in 1814, 1816 and 1817.

The artist

Biography

Ryuryukyo Shinsai (n.d., but often given as 1764?-1820; the latter date is definitely incorrect as his last known designs were issued in 1825) is said to have first been follower of Tawaraya Sori, and later of Katsushika Hokusai, who gave him the art-name Shinsai in 1800. His personal name was Masayuki. He was one of the most prolific designers of surimono in the early 19th century and thoroughly explored the possibilities of issuing works in titled series.

Entry

A family of turtles has apparently climbed a rock jutting out from the water to watch the first sunrise of the New Year.

Two poems by Shinno Zenko [later Shinyotei], and Hyakujusai Hiromaru [also Ame no Hiromaru or Suikintei Hiromaru, 1756-1809, a judge of the Miyakodori poetry club].3Kano, Kaian (ed.), Kyoka jinmei jisho (Dictionary of Names of Kyoka Poets). Kyoto: Rinsen shoten, 1977 (1928), p. 187.

Both poems are preceded by a short introductory remark, Hiromaru expressing his joy at the second - or 'new beginning' of Zenko.

Issued by the poets
Signature reading: Shinsai

Literature

M. Forrer, Surimono in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Leiden 2013, no. 151

Citation

M. Forrer, 2013, 'Ryûryûkyo Shinsai, Turtles on a Rock, Japan, c. 1800 - c. 1805', in Surimono from the Goslings Collection in the Rijksmuseum, online coll. cat. Amsterdam: https://data.rijksmuseum.nl/200467483

(accessed 11 December 2025 22:48:33).

Footnotes

  • 1Coll. cat. Goslings 1999, p. 46, cat. no. 96
  • 2Mirviss, Joan B. and John T. Carpenter, Jewels of Japanese Printmaking: Surimono of the Bunka-Bunsei Era 1804-1830 (Amerika no 3 josei ga atsumeta Bunka, Bunsei no shugyoku no surimono). Tokyo: Ota Memorial Museum of Art & Nihon Keizai Shinbun, 2000, p. 103.
  • 3Kano, Kaian (ed.), Kyoka jinmei jisho (Dictionary of Names of Kyoka Poets). Kyoto: Rinsen shoten, 1977 (1928), p. 187.