Fagot–gatherer Finds Boy with Sparrow 1691 - 1768

Okumura Masanobu created this woodblock print of ink on paper, depicting a Fagot-gatherer finding a boy with a sparrow. The tree here is a dominant symbol of life and rootedness, and the water signals renewal, its life-giving force. The interaction between the adult and the boy over the sparrow evokes themes of inheritance and tradition. The carrying of a child on one’s back connects to the long and ancient tradition in artworks of depicting the generations. Think of the ancient Roman sculptures of Aeneas carrying his father Anchises from Troy; a motif symbolizing the transmission of values. This tender gesture transcends time and geography, tapping into our collective memory of familial bonds. The emotional resonance of this image lies in its capacity to evoke primal feelings of nurturing, protection, and the continuity of human experience. This print invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of life, where age and youth converge in a timeless dance of discovery and connection.