For the 2002-2003 exhibition of Japanese prints in the Anne van Biema Collection titled Masterful Illusions, the Freer-Sackler Gallery produced a promotional bookmark using an image of a print by Yoshitoshi, “Hōryūkaku ni Ryōyū Ugoku” or “Two Heroes in Battle at Horyūkakū.” Materials in the Freer-Sackler Library make it possible to research some of the background of the print, as well as other prints depicting the same story.
Tag: Mike Smith
The Chinese sage Confucius (551-478 B.C.E.) greatly esteemed the founders of the Zhou Dynasty, who lived five hundred years before. This is reflected in several of his sayings, including, “How weak I have become. For a long time I have not dreamed about the Duke of Zhou.”
This scene, although from a fictional story, shows the respect with which the craftsman Hon’ami Kōetsu (1558-1637) is regarded in Japan, where his skill not only in the family trade of sword polishing but also calligraphy, pottery, and lacquerware are esteemed.
The author Jin Yong is beloved and famed in the Chinese speaking world for his popular martial arts novels, perhaps as famous there as J.R.R. Tolkien is in the English-speaking more »
The Freer Library is once again open for business! In celebration, enjoy this informative post by librarian Mike Smith: From The New American Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, c1971. In certain more »
The Freer Library is once again open for business! In celebration, enjoy this informative post by librarian Mike Smith: The Freer-Sackler Library's copy of Cang shu ji shi shi or more »