Minneapolis Institute of Art

Confederate Rose

Matsumura Keibun

Date

c. 1818–29

Medium

Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper with embossing on flower petals

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Matsumura Keibun was one of the leading artists of the Shijø school, which was established by Matsumura Goshun (1752-1811), his older brother and mentor. Keibun's paintings, most of which depict birds and flowers, are marked by soft brushwork and a close attention to naturalistic detail, characteristics common among the Shijø school artists. In his native city of Kyoto, Keibun designed a number of surimono prints for local poetry societies, including this one. The poets submitted fifteen haiku poems on the topic of autumn and Keibun depicted a spray of confederate rose, which blooms in early autumn. A large flower and a small bud are printed in gradated pink tones. Delicately embossed lines, representing the veins of the petals, are the work of a highly skilled carver and printer. Japan, Asia

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