Miscellaneous Paintings and Calligraphy for the Third Year of the Bunsei Era 1820

"Miscellaneous Paintings and Calligraphy for the Third Year of the Bunsei Era" (1820) by Tani Bunchō is a masterful example of *surimono*, a type of Japanese print that incorporates both painting and calligraphy. The work is composed of numerous small vignettes, each depicting a different natural subject like flowers, animals, and landscapes, arranged in a dynamic, almost mosaic-like pattern. The use of calligraphic text alongside the paintings, often incorporating poems and verses, elevates this *surimono* beyond a simple illustration, imbuing it with literary and philosophical depth. This piece showcases Bunchō's exceptional skill in both painting and calligraphy, making it a captivating example of Japanese artistic traditions.