Boy with a Hoe and Rice Seedlings 1777 - 1800

Matsumura Goshun made this hanging scroll with ink and color on paper, sometime between the mid-18th and early 19th century. Notice how the paper support is mounted with patterned textile borders above and below, and thin wooden dowels at the very bottom, giving the scroll weight so it will hang properly. The drawing shows a boy with a hoe slung across his shoulder and seedlings hanging off his body, which are combined with calligraphic inscriptions. The character of the marks, both in the illustration and the writing, reflects the controlled yet flowing movements of the brush. The work is interesting, as it celebrates the labor of agricultural workers; traditionally the production of rice involved grueling, often unrewarded labor. The image and inscription, therefore, seem to elevate the role of labor through the elegant techniques of painting and calligraphy, giving dignity to the work. It also shows the value of paper, ink, and the artist's time. This work is a great example of how materials and context shape our understanding of art, and blur the boundaries between fine art and craft.