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HOKKEI, Totoya
(1780 - 1850) 		Botanka sho-kaku
from the series: 'Shoshikai bantsukushi'

Signed:                    Hokkei
Date:                         c.1822
Size:                         shikishiban


Condition:
Excellent impression, with areas of blind printing and the use of metallic color
pigments, fine colors, printed on thick 'hoshogami' paper. Generally, fine state
of preservation. - Very rare.

This is a 'saitan (New Year's) surimono', from the series, Shoshikai bantsukushi ('A series of those who still have their teeth'), of at least nine surimono depicting historical figures who all have reached a very old age. The title of the series points to historical meetings of seven old people who gathered regularly from the year 877 onwards at the mansion of Onosan in order to compose poems and make music. The custom finds its origin in China where such gatherings were held from 845 onwards.
The title, Botanka sho-kaku, refers to the Chinese court official and poet, Botanka (i.e 'peony'), an immigrant from Japan. Here he is sitting on a resting ox reading a book. The ox is decorated with peony blossoms. Peonies are a symbol of nobility and prosperity. The poem is by Hyakuten-sha Baicho.
The surimono was designed for the Hanazono-ren circle of poets. Their emblem, a plum blossom, composed of the triple character 'no', is in the stamped cartouche with the title of the series at upper right.

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