Drawing the First Water of the New Year. Artist: Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1725-1770). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (28.6 x 21.6 cm). Date: ca. 1769-70. Symbols of spring abound in this poem. A young couple draws the "first water of the New Year" (wakamizu) in decorated buckets; pine saplings sit by the doorway, and plum blossoms burst into bloom. The scene also calls to mind an episode from the tenth-century Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari) known as the "Well curb," in which young lovers recall measuring their heights by the well as children. It reads Haru o hete kyo tate
Image details
Contributor:
Album / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
RFDFD8File size:
40.1 MB (1.7 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
3186 x 4398 px | 27 x 37.2 cm | 10.6 x 14.7 inches | 300dpiPhotographer:
AlbumMore information:
This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.
Drawing the First Water of the New Year. Artist: Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1725-1770). Culture: Japan. Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (28.6 x 21.6 cm). Date: ca. 1769-70. Symbols of spring abound in this poem. A young couple draws the "first water of the New Year" (wakamizu) in decorated buckets; pine saplings sit by the doorway, and plum blossoms burst into bloom. The scene also calls to mind an episode from the tenth-century Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari) known as the "Well curb, " in which young lovers recall measuring their heights by the well as children. It reads Haru o hete kyo tatematsuru wakamizu ni chitose no kage ya matsu ukamuramu . As spring arrives, today, we offer to the gods the year's first drawn water attached with pine shoots as from time immemorial --Trans. John T. Carpenter. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.