Public domain
Saigyô Plum Blossom
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
An inkstone with behind it a silver figurine of a cat on a lacquerware stand and a straw hat. The Saigyô plum blossom, depicted against a blue background, is named after the priest and poet Saigyô (1118-1190), who once received a silver image of a cat as a sign of appreciation from the shogun. Since Saigyô was loyal to the emperor, he gave the image away. The hat refers to depictions of the poet while, with hat on, he admires Mount Fuji. The inkstone refers to his poetic activities. With two poems.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineSaigyô pruimenbloesem. 1823. Totoya Hokkei. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
Similar works
Silver Plum Blossom
“Desk with Writing Set and Plum Flowers,” from the series Ise Calendars for the Asakusa Group (Asakusa-gawa Ise goyomi)
From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2
Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1: “Books from Kanazawa Library” (Kanazawa Bunko) and “Foreign Cat of Shōmyōji Temple” (Shōmyōji no kara neko), from the series History of Kamakura (Kamakura shi)
Still life
An actor as Mita no Tsuko and peonies, from the series "Ten Designs for the Honcho Circle (Honchoren jubantsuzuki)"
New Year's Arrangement with a Tiger