Lions and peonies are often paired and represent a popular motif in Japanese art. Imported from China, the lion and the peony stand for balancing power and beauty. The auspicious lions-and-peonies motif is featured in Japanese art in a wide range of media, from paintings and prints to netsuke carvings and clothing accessories.
Accession Number
C00.1755.055
Format
prints
Culture
Japanese (culture or style)
Genre
Animal art
Origin Information
Edo (Tokyo), Japan
Date
ca. 1800
Physical Description
1 print ; sheet 15 x 10 1/4 in. (38.1 x 26 cm)
Note (Period)
Edo period
Note (Medium/support)
Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper
The artist is also known as Utagawa Toyokuni I. He studied in the Utagawa house in Edo. In recognition of his work, he took the name Utagawa. His best known prints depict actors of the kabuki theater.