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Fifty Modern Genre Scenes Compared in Verses
2 vols; Fifty Modern Genre Scenes Compared in Verses contains fifty uta awase, a form of poetry contest popular since the eighth century in Japan in which each poem contains two competing parts. The poems are composed by Ikebe Tōen and the accompanying lightly-colored illustrations are designed by Asai Chū. In this publication, each poem consists of two verses juxtaposing descriptions of individuals engaged in diverse occupations–namely teachers, factory workers, photographers, etc.–in traditional Japanese style compared to those presented in modernized Western style. Each pair of verses is followed by a “judgment” prose that declares who was the winner and why. On the other side of each poem is a satirical illustration of the contestants. Fifty Modern Genre Scenes Compared in Verses is Asai Chū’s best known printed book design.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Lionel Katzoff, Baltimore, MD [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 2023, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Vol 1: H: 9 7/8 × W: 7 1/4 × D: 9/16 in. (25.1 × 18.4 × 1.5 cm)
Vol 2: H: 9 13/16 × W: 7 3/16 × D: 1/2 in. (25 × 18.2 × 1.2 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Lionel Katzoff, 2023
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
92.1367