(Rats carrying treasures) by Hanzan (Matsukawa) 松川半山

(Rats carrying treasures) Possibly 1864

hanzanmatsukawasongchuanbanshan

minneapolisinstituteofart

print, ink, color-on-paper

aged paper

toned paper

water colours

pastel soft colours

print

retro 'vintage design

japan

personal sketchbook

ink

color-on-paper

warm-toned

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

watercolor

Hanzan (Matsukawa) 松川半山’s *Rats Carrying Treasures* (possibly 1864) is an example of a Japanese *surimono*, a type of woodblock print that was often commissioned as a gift or to commemorate an occasion. This particular *surimono* depicts three rats dressed in human clothing, carrying various objects that are likely associated with good fortune and prosperity. The composition is framed by text, which is likely poetry or calligraphy related to the subject matter of the artwork. This *surimono* is an example of the *ukiyo-e* ("pictures of the floating world") style of art that was popular in Japan from the 17th to the 19th centuries.