Hares playing in the Spring Field

Five hares gather and play in a peaceful spring field dotted with dandelions. The variously-colored (white, brown, black and white) hares, the vividly green grass, and the bright yellow dandelions together produce great liveliness. Originally created as a celebratory work for the 60th birthday of Koyata Iwasaki (1879-1945), the fourth president of Mitsubishi Group, this painting was displayed in the dining room in the Iwasaki residence for a while. Mr. Iwasaki was born in the Year of the Hare, and the five hares in the painting represent 60 years (five cycles of 12 years). Incidentally, Insho was also born in the Year of the Hare.