you've got a point there..I blame bonsai as an entry drug for Japanese art in general.
The cicada and the willow are icons of summer in Japanese culture. The image in paintings and prints is used not really to picture the insect, but to represent the sound it makes in the summertime, from what I understand. It is also associated with illustrating the fleeting nature of life and change (since it emerges, sheds it's skin, sings then dies in single summer)you've got a point there..
cant read japanese but found book contains ur picture (lol @ google, 1st result correct) - i guess u already checked this
https://www.roningallery.com/Shoshoku-Gatsu-Volume-I-Pictures-of-Various-Occupations picture 7
btw that cicada is common theme in japanese old prints or something rather rare? found similiar but not exactly same
View attachment 611876
And thanks for the link. Good to know where the bonsai print came from. Hiroshige print.you've got a point there..
cant read japanese but found book contains ur picture (lol @ google, 1st result correct) - i guess u already checked this
https://www.roningallery.com/Shoshoku-Gatsu-Volume-I-Pictures-of-Various-Occupations picture 7
btw that cicada is common theme in japanese old prints or something rather rare? found similiar but not exactly same
View attachment 611876
Snagged this on ebay for < $5 shipped!