A Quiver of Arrows, a Potted Plum near a Low Screen
early 19th century
Medium
Color woodblock print; surimono
Dimensions
20 × 17.3 cm (7 7/8 × 6 13/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
81667
Art Historical Context
In the early 19th century, Japan's Edo period, Ryuryuk Shinsai crafted *A Quiver of Arrows a Potted Plum near Low Screen* as a delicate surimono—a luxurious, privately commissioned woodblock print. These intimate works, measuring just 20 × 17.3 cm, were often produced for poetry societies or New Year's celebrations, featuring exquisite color printing with subtle embossing, mica dusting and precise carving to mimic luxury. Shinsai a master of uki-e's "pictures of the floating world," specialized in such refined floral and still-life compositions, blending everyday elegance with poetic subtlety....