# Handwritten Letter

**Soga Shohaku** (Japanese, 1730–1781)  
c. 1754  
Two hanging scrolls, ink on paper  
121.3 × 54.5 cm (47 13/16 × 21 1/2 in.)

Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2023.3069. [The museum's record](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/271419).

## About this work

Soga Shohaku painted this in about 1754, aged about 20. It is now at the Art Institute of Chicago.

### What you’re looking at

A work made of two hanging scrolls, ink on paper.

_Description from the Art Institute of Chicago._

### How it was made

- **Hanging scroll.** A painting mounted on silk with a wooden roller at the foot. It was rolled up for storage and brought out to hang for a season, a guest or an occasion.
- **Ink on paper.** Ink made from soot and animal glue, ground with water on an inkstone. A single brush can give a hair-fine line or a broad wash, and nothing can be corrected.

### [Soga Shohaku](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/soga-shohaku)

Japanese, 1730–1781

## Facts

- Type: Painting
- Culture: Japan
- The artist was about 20
- Real size: about 48 × 21 in (121 × 54 cm). The original is larger than our largest print, 30 × 40 in, so every print is a reduction.
- Century: 18th century
- Colour: white
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/439.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/439/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108; 30 × 40 in $148
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258; 30 × 40 in $338
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148; 24 × 36 in $178; 30 × 40 in $228
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5; 30 × 40 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/handwritten-letter-aic-271419).