Public data from the Cleveland Museum of Art. Learn more
Performing Beneath the Flowers
by Tamura Suio
About the Artwork
The activity of viewing cherry blossoms is known in Japan as o-hanami, literally “viewing flowers.” Beyond reveling in the spring scene, people also enjoy games and entertainment. In this painting, a beautiful young man strumming a shamisen is brought together with an older blind monk playing what is likely a biwa under the boughs of a cherry in full bloom.
Inscriptions
signed: 水鷗筆 Suiō hitsu (brushed by Suiō); tripod seal (unread)
Provenance
A. Kelvin Smith [1899–1984] and Eleanor [Armstrong] Smith [1899–1998], Cleveland, OH, by descent to their daughter Cara Smith Stirn Cara Smith Stirn [1927–2017], Cleveland, OH, by descent to her daughter Ellen Stirn Mavec Ellen Stirn Mavec [b. 1959]
Quick Overview
- Artist
- Tamura Suio (Japanese, active late 1600s–early 1700s)
- Date
- late 1600s–early 1700s
- Medium
- Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
- Dimensions
- Painting: 45.7 x 26.3 cm (18 x 10 3/8 in.); Mounted: 121.2 x 38.2 cm (47 11/16 x 15 1/16 in.)
- Type
- Painting
- Classification
- Painting
- Department
- Japanese Art
- Credit line
- The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Ellen and Bruce Mavec
- Accession no.
- 2026.44
More by Tamura Suio in museum collections
Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.
Open-access museum record · AT-00009947
Powered by Art Trackers