Rocks was painted by Yosa Buson in 1741-01-01.

Where can I see Rocks?

Rocks is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Rocks?

Rocks is associated with Nanga.

Can I buy a print of Rocks?

Museum-quality prints of Rocks are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Rocks

Yosa Buson , 1741

Rocks is an unspecified painting by the Nanga artist Yosa Buson. It dates from 1741 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1741, “Rocks” is an ink painting by Japanese poet‑painter Yosa Buson, now part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition consists of two stone forms rendered in monochrome, positioned asymmetrically with a larger mass on the left and a smaller one on the right, each surrounded by blocks of Chinese characters.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents a study of natural stone, emphasizing texture and mass rather than narrative content. The surrounding Chinese script, rendered in the same ink, introduces a textual element whose precise translation remains uncertain, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between visual form and written language.

Technique & Style

Buson employs bold, sweeping brushstrokes characteristic of the literati tradition, using varying ink densities to model the rocks’ surfaces and suggest three‑dimensionality. The minimal detail and restrained palette focus attention on the interplay of light, shadow, and the gestural quality of the marks, reflecting a disciplined, almost meditative approach to ink painting.

History & Provenance

Painted during Buson’s mature period, the piece exemplifies his engagement with Chinese artistic conventions. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the late twentieth century, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of East Asian painting, illustrating cross‑cultural influences in Edo‑period art.