Artwork

尾形乾山筆定家詠十二ヶ月和歌花鳥図『拾遺愚草』より六月|“Sixth Month” from Fujiwara no Teika’s “Birds and Flowers of the Twelve Months”

尾形乾山筆定家詠十二ヶ月和歌花鳥図『拾遺愚草』より六月|“Sixth Month” from Fujiwara no Teika’s “Birds and Flowers of the Twelve Months” is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Ogata Kenzan. It dates from 1743 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

These visual components serve as iconographic references to the associated poetry, merging the natural world with classical verse.

Created in 1743 by Ogata Kenzan, this hanging scroll visually interprets a poem from Fujiwara no Teika's "Birds and Flowers of the Twelve Months," specifically representing the sixth month. The composition integrates landscape elements with literary themes, depicting birds, a boat, and fire. These visual components serve as iconographic references to the associated poetry, merging the natural world with classical verse.

The work functions as a pictorial translation of the text, where the depicted flora, fauna, and activities symbolize the seasonal characteristics of early summer as defined in the source poem. By illustrating specific elements like fire and watercraft alongside avian figures, the painting embodies the intersection of visual art and poetic tradition characteristic of this genre.

Technique & Style

Created in 1743 by Ogata Kenzan, this work is executed as a hanging scroll utilizing ink and color applied to a paper support. The piece belongs to the landscape genre and formally depicts specific iconographic elements including a bird, a boat, fire, and poetry. As a painting from Japan, the artist's handling of the medium integrates these distinct visual motifs within the traditional format of the hanging scroll.

The composition reflects the stylistic approach of Kenzan during this period, merging natural imagery with literary themes derived from Fujiwara no Teika's poetry. The physical construction relies on the standard materials of ink and pigment on paper, characteristic of the medium's application in Japanese painting of the eighteenth century.

History & Provenance

The hanging scroll is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as recorded in its Wikidata entry. Created by Ogata Kenzan in 1743, it is classified as a painting within the museum's holdings. No specific accession number, inventory designation, or details of past exhibitions are documented in the available sources.

Overview

“Sixth Month” from Fujiwara no Teika’s “Birds and Flowers of the Twelve Months” is a hanging scroll painting by Ogata Kenzan, created in 1743. This work is one component of a larger series that visually interprets poems by Fujiwara no Teika. Rendered with ink and color on paper, it captures a specific moment associated with the summer season, reflecting a traditional Japanese artistic practice of combining literature and visual art.

Context

This painting belongs to a comprehensive series where each piece corresponds to a specific month, illustrating classical Japanese poetry. The practice of pairing visual art with literary works, particularly waka poems like those by Fujiwara no Teika, was a significant tradition in Japanese art. Kenzan's series exemplifies this cultural intertwining, offering visual interpretations that deepen the emotional and seasonal resonance of the verses.

Legacy

Kenzan's artistic lineage connects to his elder brother, Ogata Kōrin, a prominent figure known for his distinctive style, particularly in depicting natural subjects like birds and boats. Examining Kōrin's works can offer insight into the broader artistic context and stylistic approaches that influenced Kenzan's own interpretations of these recurring motifs within Japanese painting.