Koto, by Yashima Gakutei

An image of Koto. Gakutei, Yashima (Japanese, 1786(?)-1868). Surimono. Colour print from woodblocks, with metallic pigment and blind embossing. c.1817. Poetry by Seigaen (?) Masago, Amano Hashidate and Madono Murachiku (at the age of 74), circa 1817. Ukiyo-e. Notes: The first in a set parodying the four traditional Chinese accomplishments. It was designed early in Gakutei’s career when he was still using the name Harunobu in his signature. The koto is a form of Japanese harp. The other accomplishments were go, calligraphy and painting. The set is indicative of the widespread interest in Heian court culture during the Edo period.

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Koto. Gakutei, Yashima (Japanese, 1786(?)-1868). Surimono. Colour print from woodblocks, with metallic pigment and blind embossing. c.1817. Poetry by Seigaen (?) Masago, Amano Hashidate and Madono Murachiku (at the age of 74), circa 1817. Ukiyo-e. Notes: The first in a set parodying the four traditional Chinese accomplishments. It was designed early in Gakutei’s career when he was still using the name Harunobu in his signature. The koto is a form of Japanese harp. The other accomplishments were go, calligraphy and painting. The set is indicative of the widespread interest in Heian court culture during the Edo period.

Image data

Accession Number: P.297-1937
Photograph copyright © The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal length: 120
Camera: Hasselblad H4D-31
Photographer name: Sam Cole
Image height: 778 pixels
Image width: 1024 pixels
Processed with: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.0 (Windows)
Filesize: 853.36kB
Exposure time: 1/125
ISO Speed: 100
Fnumber: 22/1
Captured: 2017:07:24 11:32:30

Key words

19th Century accomplishments blind embossing bonsai tree colour printing Edo Period embossed embossing female Fitz_PDP Gakutei guzheng harp harpist Heian Heian period Japan Japanese kimono koto metallic pigment music musical instruments musician pigment poem poetry poets print surimono trees ukiyo-e woman women woodblock woodcut Yashima Gakutei zither

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            The Fitzwilliam Museum (2026)
            "Koto, by Yashima Gakutei"
            Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/image/media-218370 Accessed: 2026-02-10 10:24:17

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            {{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/image/media-218370
            |title=Koto, by Yashima Gakutei
            |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2026-02-10 10:24:17|publisher=The
            University of Cambridge}}

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        <figcaption class="figure-caption text-info">Koto, by Yashima Gakutei</figcaption>
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