Artwork preview

Halibuts and a Bow with Arrow Hanging on a Plum Tree

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Japanese woodblock print depicts two halibuts hanging from a tree. The fish are gray with darker shading on their backs. A long black bow and arrow made of light brown wood are positioned to the right of the fish. The bow and arrow are strung with the arrow pointing toward the right. A colorful kite is attached to the bowstring. The tree branch has pink blossoms and brown buds. A column of Japanese calligraphy runs vertically along the left edge. The background fades from light beige at the top to light blue at the bottom.

Artwork Details

Date
19th century
Medium
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
599 × 450 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette