A Beauty Walking

Art Historical Context

**A Beauty Walking** by Sugimura Jihei is a captivating 17th-century-colored woodblock print from early Ukiyo-e, meaning "pictures of the floating." This o-oban sized work (56.8 × 27.9 cm) the genre's focus on elegant women, or *bijin-ga*, capturing grace and poise of a strolling beauty in everyday attire. Jihei, during the late 1600s in Edo (modern Tokyo), was a skilled follower of pioneers like Hishikawa Moronobu, blending realism with stylized charm to depict urban life and fashion. The print's *sumizuri-e* technique—monochrome black ink printing followed by vibrant hand-coloring—highlights the artistry of early woodblock production. Artisans carved intricate blocks for each color layer, allowing affordable yet exquisite multiples for a growing merchant class. This method brought dynamic movement to the figure's flowing kimono and confident stride, evoking the vibrancy of Genroku-era streets. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, *A Beauty Walking* offers a window into Edo-period culture, where such images celebrated fleeting beauty and social aspirations. Visitors will appreciate its delicate lines and subtle hues, a testament to Ukiyo-e's enduring influence on global art.