Rabbits in Asian Art: From Lunar Legends to Modern Masterpieces

A new feature on DailyArt Magazine highlights ten depictions of rabbits in Asian art, ranging from 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints to contemporary Chinese paintings. The list includes works by Shibata Zeshin, Kano Osanobu, Hodo Nishimura, Ohara Koson, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Yabu Chosui, Utagawa Hiroshige, Fang Chuxiong, and an anonymous Qing dynasty scroll. The article explores the cultural significance of rabbits in East Asian folklore, particularly their association with the Moon and the Lunar New Year. Notable pieces include Shibata Zeshin's 'Sparrow and Rabbits Celebrating New Year' (19th century), Kano Osanobu's 'Rabbits Frolicking in the Waves' (first half of 19th century), and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's 'Jade Rabbit: Sun Wukong' from the series 'One Hundred Views of the Moon' (1889). The feature also includes a bonus: a Vietnamese painting of cats by Van Minh Nguyen (1996), as 2023 was the Year of the Cat in the Vietnamese zodiac. The article provides context on artistic styles such as shin-hanga and kachō-e, and discusses the influence of Western techniques during the Qing dynasty. The works are held in collections including the Ronin Gallery in New York, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.