Shonenko (Youth setting out)

Details

KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Shonenko (Youth setting out)
Woodblock print, from the series Shika shashin kyo (A true mirror of Chinese and Japanese poetry), signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu, published by Moriya Jihei
Vertical nagaban: 20 1/8 x 9 1/8 in. (51.1 x 23.2 cm.)

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Takaaki Murakami (村上高明) Vice President, Specialist and Head of Department | Korean Art

tmurakami@christies.com +1 212 636 2160

Lot Essay

A Chinese youth rides a white horse along a lake-side road, using a willow branch for his riding crop. The young man's servant waits patiently ahead for him to catch up, whilst a fisherman dozes on the bank. This scene is based upon a classical Chinese poem the 'Youth's Song' by Cui Guofu (active early 700s), which tells of a wealthy young man who loses his riding crop on the way home from the brothel district of Zhangtai and is forced to substitute it for a branch of willow.

More from Japanese and Korean Art

View All