A Whetstone with a Razor, and an Envelope for a Present
Medium
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (14 x 19.1 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
JP2206
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1615–8), this delicate 1811 woodblock print, titled *A Whetstone with a Razor, and an Envelope a Present*, captures everyday objects with poetic elegance. Created by an unidentified artist, the surimono—a privately commissioned print often produced for special occasions like New Year's celebrations—features a whetstone alongside a razor and a decorative envelope, symbols perhaps evoking renewal, sharpness of mind, or gift-giving rituals. Measuring just 5½ x 7½ inches, its intimate scale invites close contemplation, typical of these luxury items made fo...