Minneapolis Institute of Art

Bat and Moon

Takahashi Bihō

Date

c. 1928–1930

Medium

Woodblock print, ink and color on paper

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

On back: Made in Japan No. 64. Later edition printed c. 1928-1930. In China bats have long been considered lucky creatures because the written symbol for bat has the same pronunciation as that for happiness. Consequently, bats are frequently featured in textile patterns and porcelain designs in both China and Japan. Since the perfection of the full moon is also viewed as an auspicious occurrence, the combination of a bat and the moon suggests exponential happiness. Asia

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