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Details
- Alternative title
- Kitsune jodô (I)
- Place where the work was made
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Japan
- Period
- Heisei period 1989 - → Japan
- Date
- 1990
- Media category
- Materials used
- woodcut
- Edition
- 15/185
- Dimensions
- 47.5 x 69.5 cm image; 53.5 x 74.5 cm sheet
- Signature & date
Signed l.r., pencil "Y. Okamoto". Not dated.
- Credit
- Gift of the artist 1993
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 449.1993
- Artist information
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Okamoto Yoshimi
Works in the collection
- Share
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About
Okamoto draws on traditional Japanese art in both his subject matter and style. This print is one of a series based on tales that appear in both folklore and Kyogen theatre, of foxes assuming the shape of beautiful women to entertain and seduce travellers.
In Japanese folklore there are many examples of animals transforming themselves into human form. Usually the fox is seen as an evil creature, thought to be possessed of spiritual power and capable of bewitching people. There are many folktales in which a fox marries a man by assuming the shape of a woman.
The card game spread out before the young girls is called 'hanafuda', a gambling game comprised of twelve 4-card suits, four for each month of the year, each decorated with seasonal flowers corresponding to a particular month of the year. The game is a favourite at New Year's festivities.
The use of bright colours, stylized waves and clouds reflects Okamoto's indebtedness to indigenous design traditions. He likes to use goldleaf because it changes expression as time passes and the light on it varies.
Okamoto was born in Hokkaido, educated at Nihon University and now resides in Kanagawa.
Jackie Menzies, Contemporary Japanese Prints: The Urban Bonsai, 1992, pg. 65.
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Places
Where the work was made
Japan
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Exhibition history
Shown in 1 exhibition
The Urban Bonsai, Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane, 04 Mar 1992–04 May 1992
The Urban Bonsai, National Art Gallery, Wellington, Wellington, 20 Jun 1992–09 Aug 1992
The Urban Bonsai, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch, 12 Sep 1992–29 Oct 1992
The Urban Bonsai, Manawatu Art Gallery, New Zealand, 13 Nov 1992–10 Jan 1993
The Urban Bonsai, The George Adams Gallery, Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, 18 Mar 1993–25 Apr 1993
The Urban Bonsai, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 08 May 1993–01 Aug 1993
The Urban Bonsai, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, Emu Plains, 11 Mar 1994–24 Apr 1994
The Urban Bonsai, Drill Hall Gallery, Australian National University, Canberra, 19 May 1994–19 Jun 1994
The Urban Bonsai, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, 15 Jul 1994–21 Aug 1994
The Urban Bonsai, Bank Art Museum Moree, Moree, 11 Nov 1994–24 Dec 1994
The Urban Bonsai, Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, Murwillumbah, 01 Feb 1995–05 Mar 1995
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Bibliography
Referenced in 1 publication
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Jackie Menzies, Contemporary Japanese Prints : The Urban Bonsai, Sydney, 1992, 65, 76 (colour illus.). cat.no. 44
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