Rice Plant and Butter-Burs 19th century

This 19th-century woodblock print, *Rice Plant and Butter-Burs*, by Kubo Shunman (1757–1820), is a beautiful example of the *surimono* genre. *Surimono* are finely-crafted, hand-printed works of art often commissioned for special occasions, such as birthdays, festivals, or to commemorate a particular event. In this print, Shunman showcases his mastery of detail and delicate brushstrokes, particularly in the depiction of the rice stalks and butterbur flower. The artist’s signature can be seen on the print in the lower right corner, as well as a poem written in *kanji* characters. The print is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in New York, NY.