Fuchi with Magpies on a Bridge

Description Three magpies are shown on a bridge over a stream. At the left is maiden flower. Magpies are associated with the festival of Tanabata because they were said to form a bridge with their wings which allowed the lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi to meet. The lovers are depicted on the matching kashira, Walters 51.1091.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] 明親鐫; [Translation] Akichika horu

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters