Artwork preview

Boys Playing with a Basin of Fish and Turtles

Kitao Shigemasa

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Three boys in traditional Japanese clothing, two wearing blue and white checkered kimonos and one wearing a red kimono with white polka dots, are gathered around a large shallow basin. The basin contains water with fish and turtles swimming inside. A turtle is on the edge of the basin. One boy on the left is leaning over the basin, looking at the animals. Another boy on the right is lying on his side, holding a turtle up in the air. A third boy, on the right, is lying on his stomach with his head resting on his hands. The background is a light brown color with darker brown spots. A small net lies on the ground to the right.

Artwork details

Date:
early 19th century
Medium:
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Culture:
Japan
Dimensions:
599 × 364 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette