Tossing out a rowing pole; sake flasks (tokkuri)

Ōtagaki Rengetsu was a significant artist of 19th century Japan, a time of rapid change and modernisation as Japan was forcibly opened to the rest of the world after almost 300 years of self-imposed isolation. While many historical works across the Asian collection were made by women, in particular textiles from Southeast Asia, there are very few instances in which their names and life stories are known. The acquisition of these incised flasks goes some way to rectifying that situation.

The flasks will initially be shown in the Lantern Galleries of Asian art but also have relevance in terms of 19th century art more broadly, especially that made by women.