The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Year of the Dragon or Rat

Kubota Shunman, c. 1800

The title of the luxuriously bound book depicted in this print is The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. All the objects around it refer to the five impossible tasks in the tale, namely finding the begging bowl of the Buddha, a jewelled branch, a robe of fire-rat fur, a dragon’s jewel, and the shell of a special snail. It is up to the viewer to spot them.

  • Artwork typeprint, surimono
  • Object numberRP-P-2011-55
  • Dimensionsheight 195 mm x width 249 mm
  • Physical characteristicskleurenhoutsnede; blinddruk; lijnblok in zwart met kleurblokken; metaalpigmenten

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Five Cranes

Kubota Shunman (mentioned on object), c. 1816

Five Cranes

Vier vlinders

after print by Kubota Shunman (mentioned on object), c. 1880 - c. 1900

Vier vlinders

Pioenrozen en irissen

after print by Kubota Shunman (mentioned on object), c. 1890 - c. 1900

Pioenrozen en irissen

A Lacquer Bowl

Kubota Shunman (mentioned on object), c. 1815 - c. 1820

A Lacquer Bowl

Lobster and Shells

Kubota Shunman (mentioned on object), c. 1800 - c. 1805

Lobster and Shells

Rotsen, golven en de opkomende maan

after print by Kubota Shunman (mentioned on object), c. 1890

Rotsen, golven en de opkomende maan