An Umbrella Jump
ca. 1769
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H. 27 1/5 in. (69.1 cm); W. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Estate of Samuel Isham, 1914
Accession Number
JP884
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Isoda Koryūsai's *An Umbrella Jump*ca. 1769) captures a moment of playful daring. This woodblock print, a hallmark of ukiyo-e—"pictures of the floating world"—depicts elegant women mid-leap with umbrellas, evoking the carefree spirit of urban leisure. Koryūsai, a master of bijin-gaimages of beautiful women), infused his works with graceful figures and dynamic poses, reflecting the era's fascination with fashion, theater, and everyday amusements in cities like Edo (modern Tokyo). Crafted in the hosoban format—tall and narrow at 27 1/5 x 3 7...
About the Artist
Isoda Koryūsai · 1735–1790
Japanese, 1735–ca. 1790