Minneapolis Institute of Art

Threads of Gold

Kōno Tettō

Date

mid 19th century

Medium

Hanging scroll, ink on paper

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Kōno Tettō studied Chinese poetry under the prominent poet Yanagawa Seigan (1782–1858). Later, Tettō opened a school and published two volumes of his work, before dying at forty-three years of age. His verse celebrating nature, appearing on this scroll, remains well-known today. Tettō’s forceful style of writing, characterized by angular thrusts, thick, blunt-tipped horizontal strokes, and thin vertical strokes, recalls that of his teacher, and seems somewhat at odds with this lyrical poem. 山猿雪猶寒 春風来 / 水国 浴促待柳條 一 / 一黄金幺 In the distant mountains the snow is still cold; / The spring wind arrives from the lake country. / It bathes and stimulates the pines and willows, / To create, one by one, threads of gold. (Trans. Stephen Addiss) Japan, Asia

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