# Paulownias and Chrysanthemums

**Sakai Hōitsu** (Japanese, 1761–1828)  
early 1800s  
Two-panel folding screen; ink and color on gilded paper  
Image: 152.7 x 154.9 cm (60 1/8 x 61 in.); Overall: 157.5 x 158.5 cm (62 x 62 3/8 in.)

Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1964.386. [The museum's record](https://clevelandart.org/art/1964.386).

## About this work

In this screen, Sakai Hōitsu expertly deployed a painting technique called “dripping-in” ( tarashikomi ). Ink and color dripped on the surface, and allowed to pool there, created the illusionistic effect of lichen-dotted tree bark and twisted chrysanthemum leaves. Paulownia and chrysanthemum are signifiers of late spring and early autumn as well as emblems of the Japanese imperial house. Paulownia also has medicinal properties and associations with fortitude, while chrysanthemum symbolizes good government.

_Text from the Cleveland Museum of Art._

Sakai Hōitsu painted this in the early 1800s, aged about 39. It is now at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

### How it was made

- **Folding screen.** Panels joined by paper hinges, so the screen stands by itself in a zigzag. The picture runs across every panel, and screens were often made in pairs.

### [Sakai Hōitsu](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/sakai-hoitsu)

Japanese, 1761–1828

## Facts

- Type: Painting
- Culture: Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
- The artist was about 39
- Real size: about 62 × 62 in (158 × 159 cm). The original is larger than our largest print, 24 × 36 in, so every print is a reduction.
- Century: 18th century
- Colour: ochre
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/655.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/655/1920.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
- 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
- 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
- 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

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/paulownias-and-chrysanthemums-cma-140476).