Illustration of Komatsu-hiki, 1891

by Shibata Zeshin

About This Print

Zeshin's drawing of a samurai and courtier out for a day of "pulling pines," the popular custom in which Heian period nobles took pines home during the fondly-held event called the Komatsu-hiki (pulling out small pine trees on the first day of the Rat), using them to pray for longevity. 

This woodblock print appearing in the 12th issue of the magazine Bijutsu Sekai 美術世界 (World of Art) was published three months after Zeshin's death.

Print Details