Monkey and Crab
Monkey and Crab

Currently not on view

Monkey and Crab

Keisai Eisen 渓斎英泉, 1790–1848
Japanese
Edo period, 1603–1868
x1983-94
In this surimono print, the monkey is bartering a persimmon seed for the crab’s triangular rice ball. The image refers to a wellknown folktale in which a monkey takes advantage of a crab, claiming the seed would grow into a tree that would yield fruit. The persimmons eventually ripen, and the monkey offers to pick them for the crab, only to eat them himself. When the crab protests, the monkey throws an unripe fruit and fatally injures her. The crab gives birth just before she dies, and her offspring eventually avenge their mother’s death.

Information

Title
Monkey and Crab
Maker
Keisai Eisen 渓斎英泉
Medium
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
19.8 x 17.2 cm. (7 13/16 x 6 3/4 in.) mat: 49.1 x 36.2 cm. (19 5/16 x 14 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Straka
Object Number
x1983-94
Place Made

Asia, Japan

Signatures
Signed lower right: Keisai
Inscription
Poem, upper left, by Shin Eitei Kokinman'yo
Marks/Labels/Seals
Seal lower right: Eisen Collector's seal lower right corner verso
Culture
Japanese
Period
Edo (Japanese period)
Type
japanese printmaking styles, woodblock prints, prints
Materials
color, paper, ink
Techniques
woodcut (process)
Subject
crabs, monkeys, poems

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