Set of Scrolls

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), c. 1810 - c. 1820

The Tale of Genji is one of the most famous and oldest Japanese novels. Its author, Murasaki Shikibu (c. 1000), is often depicted writing in the Ishiyama temple. The open scroll here features a pavilion with a seated woman; next to the scroll are writing utensils. Ishiyama is referred to in the accompanying poem, thus this woman is probably Murasaki.

  • Artwork typeprint, surimono
  • Object numberRP-P-1991-452
  • Dimensionsheight 140 mm x width 180 mm
  • Physical characteristicsnishikie, with metallic pigments and tsuyazuri

Discover more

more by Ryûryûkyo Shinsai

Fish and Shells

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), 1821

Fish and Shells

Figuren bij vijver met bloesem

after print by Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), 1890 - 1900

Figuren bij vijver met bloesem

Rolls of Fabric

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), c. 1820

Rolls of Fabric

Removing Clogged Snow

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), 1807

Removing Clogged Snow

Courtesan Standing by a Kimono on a Rack

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), 1809

Courtesan Standing by a Kimono on a Rack

Dansende courtisane

Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), 1807

Dansende courtisane

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Set of Scrolls
    • A Set of Scrolls

  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-P-1991-452

  • Description

    Twee handrollen op een presentatieblad met een gedeeltelijk uitgerolde rolschildering erachter waarop een zittende figuur op een veranda is te zien; waarschijnlijk de hofdame en schrijfster Murasaki Shikibu. Op de voorgrond een zwarte lakdoos en een penseel. Murasaki Shikibu schreef in de elfde eeuw de roman 'Het verhaal van Genji'. Ze wordt vaak schrijvend in de Ishiyama tempel afgebeeld, waar ook één van de twee gedichten op deze prent naar verwijst.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    stamp, recto bottom left, stamped

  • Part of catalogue

  • Catalogue reference

    • Forrer 168
    • Goslings 93

Creation

  • Creation

    • printmaker: Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (mentioned on object), Japan
    • after print by Kasanrô (mentioned on object), Japan
    • poet: Saisanrô (mentioned on object), Japan
    • poet: Shakuyakutei (mentioned on object), Japan

  • Dating

    c. 1810 - c. 1820

  • Search further with

Material and technique

  • Physical description

    nishikie, with metallic pigments and tsuyazuri

  • Dimensions

    height 140 mm x width 180 mm

Explanatory note

  • Een surimono is een luxe uitgevoerde prent waarop beeld met één of meerdere gedichten gecombineerd is. Bij het drukken van een surimono werd vaak gebruik gemaakt van dikker papier, blinddruk en metaal pigmenten, zoals koper- en zilverpoeder. De prenten werden vaak in opdracht van dichters gemaakt en als exclusief geschenk aan vrienden en relaties gegeven.

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Gift of J.H.W. Goslings, Epse

  • Acquisition

    gift 1991

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; ? the dealer or collection Hayashi Tadamasa (1853-1906) (collector's mark);…; purchased from the dealer C.P.J. van der Peet Japanese Prints, Amsterdam, by J.H.W. Goslings (1943-2011), Epse, near Deventer, 1982;{Coll. cat. Goslings 1999, p. 45, cat. no. 93} by whom donated to the museum, 1991

Documentation

Persistent URL

Questions?

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Ryûryûkyo Shinsai, after Kasanrô

A Set of Scrolls

Japan, Japan, Japan, Japan, c. 1810 - c. 1820

Inscriptions

  • stamped: lower left, in red ink, with seal reading hayashi, possibly Hayashi Tadamasa

Provenance

…; ? the dealer or collection Hayashi Tadamasa (1853-1906) (collector's mark);…; purchased from the dealer C.P.J. van der Peet Japanese Prints, Amsterdam, by J.H.W. Goslings (1943-2011), Epse, near Deventer, 1982;1Coll. cat. Goslings 1999, p. 45, cat. no. 93 by whom donated to the museum, 1991

Object number: RP-P-1991-452

Credit line: Gift of J.H.W. Goslings, Epse

Context

Tsuru no Hinako and Yomo no Utagaki Magao collaborated on a number of surimono, including RP-P-1958-276 and RP-P-1958-300.

The artist

Biography

Ryuryukyo Shinsai (n.d., but often given as 1764?-1820; the latter date is definitely incorrect as his last known designs were issued in 1825) is said to have first been follower of Tawaraya Sori, and later of Katsushika Hokusai, who gave him the art-name Shinsai in 1800. His personal name was Masayuki. He was one of the most prolific designers of surimono in the early 19th century and thoroughly explored the possibilities of issuing works in titled series.

Entry

Two handscrolls on a lidded lacquered stand, a third handscroll beside it, partly unrolled to reveal a painting of a lady in a room, a stream and hills in the distance. A brush in front of the tablet.

The reference to Ishiyama in the poem by Tsuru no Hinako suggests that the lady in the painting is the Heian-period (794-1185) court lady Murasaki Shikibu, author of The Tale of Genji, Genji monogatari, an early 11th-century novel. She is often depicted writing the novel at the Ishiyama Temple. For more on The Tale of Genji, see RP-P-2006-108.

Two poems by Tsuru no Hinako [or Kakushi, i.e., Kitamado Umeyoshi from Osaka, a judge of the Gogawa, later Tsurunoya Osamaru II],2Kano, Kaian (ed.), Kyoka jinmei jisho (Dictionary of Names of Kyoka Poets). Kyoto: Rinsen shoten, 1977 (1928), p. 24. and Yomo no Utagaki Magao [1753-1829, Shikatsube Magao, pupil of Yomo Akara. Used the name 'Yomo' from 1796, when he became a judge of the Yomogawa. Alternative name Kyokado].3Kano, Kaian (ed.), Kyoka jinmei jisho (Dictionary of Names of Kyoka Poets). Kyoto: Rinsen shoten, 1977 (1928), p. 214. Kitamado Umeyoshi also seems to have been active as an amateur print designer, see RP-P-1991-646.

Issued by a follower of the poet Yomo Magao
Signature reading: Shinsai

Literature

M. Forrer, Surimono in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Leiden 2013, no. 168

Citation

M. Forrer, 2013, 'Ryûryûkyo Shinsai, A Set of Scrolls, Japan, c. 1810 - c. 1820', in Surimono from the Goslings Collection in the Rijksmuseum, online coll. cat. Amsterdam: https://data.rijksmuseum.nl/200467491

(accessed 21 mei 2026 15:04:07 UTC+0).

Footnotes

  • 1Coll. cat. Goslings 1999, p. 45, cat. no. 93
  • 2Kano, Kaian (ed.), Kyoka jinmei jisho (Dictionary of Names of Kyoka Poets). Kyoto: Rinsen shoten, 1977 (1928), p. 24.
  • 3Kano, Kaian (ed.), Kyoka jinmei jisho (Dictionary of Names of Kyoka Poets). Kyoto: Rinsen shoten, 1977 (1928), p. 214.