Man admiring toy rabbit Possibly 1867

print, ink, color-on-paper

toned paper

light pencil work

blue ink drawing

print

japan

personal sketchbook

ink

color-on-paper

ink drawing experimentation

ink colored

sketchbook drawing

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

watercolor

"Man Admiring Toy Rabbit" is a Japanese woodblock print by Maki Sozan, likely created around 1867. The print depicts a man seated on the ground, looking down at a small rabbit toy in his hands. His expression is one of amusement and tenderness. The scene is simple, yet intimate, highlighting the playful and wholesome nature of the interaction. This charming work is an example of ukiyo-e, the genre of Japanese woodblock prints popularized during the Edo period, known for its colorful depictions of everyday life and popular culture. The print, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, exemplifies the enduring appeal of Japanese art and its ability to capture the essence of human connection and delight in simple moments.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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According to the East Asian zodiac system, twelve years comprise one cycle and each of the twelve-years is symbolized by a specific animal. People display images of the animal associated with the New Year as a way of signifying their excitement for the arrival of the new season. Prints featuring the poems of literary societies naturally often featured an image of the year's symbolic animal. Published in 1867, the Year of the Hare, this design shows a man lovingly looking at a small woodcarving that depicts a rabbit. 2011 is also the Year of the Hare.