Model Boat - Hana Kurabe 1878

"Model Boat - Hana Kurabe" was made by Shibata Zeshin sometime in the late 19th century. Born in the late Edo period, Zeshin witnessed Japan’s transformation into the Meiji era, and he captures the period’s interest in the natural world. Using delicate lines and soft colors, Zeshin depicts a playful arrangement of natural materials fashioned into miniature boats. These materials, likely gathered from a local garden, reflect an intimate connection to the immediate environment. This work reminds me of childhood games and the way we find ways to repurpose objects into new realities. There is a quietness to the image, but it doesn’t obscure the deep sense of care embedded in the detailed construction of these humble boats. The red string wrapped around the materials adds an element of human craft, contrasting with the wildness of the botanical elements. I am interested in the way Zeshin’s work brings together the intimacy of personal experience with broader cultural values of simplicity and craftsmanship.