Black Dog and Boat

Currently not on view

Black Dog and Boat

18th century

Ike Taiga (Japanese, 1723–1776)

This pair of haiku poems describes scenes that Taiga could have observed directly from nature. The first poem pictures a winter scene: a black dog appears even blacker as it passes a glittering white, snow-laden fence. The second poem is more abstract and describes a rainy spring day at the Fushimi harbor, a station along the busy river route that connected Kyoto with Osaka. The boat for hire, it seems, is so drenched by the rain that it becomes a rain boat:

The black dog becomes
Even more black:
A snowy fence

At Spring; Leaving Fushimi

Leaving the spring behind
Now, let's rent
A boat of rain!

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Black Dog and Boat

Date:

18th century

Artist:

Ike Taiga (Japanese, 1723–1776)

Medium:

Ink and color on paper; mounted as a hanging scroll

Dimensions:

18 1/2 x 12 inches (47 x 30.5 cm) Mount: 45 x 19 3/4 inches (114.3 x 50.2 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Margaretta S. Hinchman Fund, the Gertrude Schemm Binder Fund, and the J. Stogdell Stokes Fund, 1966

Accession Number:

1966-124-1

Geography:

Made in Japan, Asia

Context:

Period: Edo Period (1615-1868)

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Currently not on view