Strong impression.

A text banner is printed along the right side of the top image. There is a signature printed in the center of the lower edge. Text is pritned along the lower left border.

Colored ink woodblock print on off-white paper (oban tate-e).

Meiji period color woodblock print by Chikanobu; part of a series that juxtaposed scenes from the Chinese collection of Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety with reimagined Japanese versions.

In the upper panel, Chikanobu has illustrated the story of Jiang Shi (Kyoshi) and his wife, both of whom were devoted to Jiang Shi's aging mother. This elderly lady prefered the taste of river water to that of well water and she also greatly enjoyed fresh fish. Though the closest river was six miles from their home, Jiang Shi's wife traveled that distance every day to bring back fresh river water, and the couple would often bring back fresh fish as well. They never complained or showed any signs of resentment. One day, a spring mysteriously sprang up in their yard, tasting just like the river water. In addition, two carp would leap out of the water each day, in anticipation of becoming the next meal. Now, the devoted couple could fulfill the old lady's wishes without traveling so far.

A verse in their honor reads:
"The son delights in his filial regard;
The daughter, too, finds service not too hard;
Every morning carp come leaping out
Of the sweet-dew spring in their back yard."

Taking his inspiration from this story, Chikanobu reimagines the scene with a mother watching her young son catch goldfish.

This object has the following keywords:

• 1886-1890
• Filial Piety
• Fish and Sea Animals
• Parent and Child

This object is a member of the following portfolios: