“Iris” [花菖蒲 Hanashōbu] woodblock print by Kyosen Kawasaki
Title : “Iris” [花菖蒲 Hanashōbu]
Excerpt from “Collection of small works図案小品集”, Book 1
Year: 1911
Woodblock print, ink on paper
Print size: 19 × 26cm
With passe-partout: 21 x 29.7cm
Title : “Iris” [花菖蒲 Hanashōbu]
Excerpt from “Collection of small works図案小品集”, Book 1
Year: 1911
Woodblock print, ink on paper
Print size: 19 × 26cm
With passe-partout: 21 x 29.7cm
Title : “Iris” [花菖蒲 Hanashōbu]
Excerpt from “Collection of small works図案小品集”, Book 1
Year: 1911
Woodblock print, ink on paper
Print size: 19 × 26cm
With passe-partout: 21 x 29.7cm
The Japanese iris or ‘Hana-Shōbu’ 花菖蒲 is among the most elegant and impressive types of iris flowers. Because of their leaves stretching sharply and strongly upwards like a sword, iris were beloved by the samourai (Japanese warriors), who saw them as a symbol of bravery. Blooming iris usually mark the beginning of the rainy season in Japan in June.
Here, Kyosen Kawasaki outlined the gorgeous petals of a single blooming Iris in the typical deep purple colour.