Colophon on five leaves (page two of two) 1851

This second page of Shinozaki Shōchiku's Colophon on five leaves was made in Japan at an unknown date with ink on paper. Colophons traditionally appear at the end of a manuscript or book, and are often added by someone other than the original author or artist. Here, Shōchiku engages in a form of visual and textual commentary that was particularly important to the literati culture of his time. The careful brushstrokes, the balance of the composition, and the allusions to classical poetry all speak to a refined sensibility cultivated through years of study and practice. This work offers us insight into the values of a particular social class in 19th-century Japan. Further research into Shōchiku's life, his social circle, and the artistic conventions of the Edo period would allow us to better understand the significance of this elegant work.