Candle-Stand and Fan

Art Historical Context

Kubo Shunman's *Candle-Stand and* is a delicate 19th-century woodblock print from Japan's Edo period (16151868), exemplifying the refined art of *surimono*. These privately commissioned prints, often created for poetry circles or New Year's greetings, were luxurious connoisseur pieces, printed in small editions with exceptional care. Measuring just 8 1/16 x 7 1/4 inches, this intimate work captures everyday objects—a candle-stand and a folded fan—in vibrant ink and color on paper, inviting viewers into the subtle elegance of Japanese domestic life. Shunman (1777–1845), a versatile ukiyo-e artist and kyōka poet, mastered *surimono*'s sophisticated techniques, such as precise color registration, subtle gradations (*bokashi*), and sometimes mica or embossing for texture. Here, the composition highlights the interplay of light and shadow on these motifs, evoking transience (*mono no aware*), a core Edo aesthetic. Fans symbolized status and artistry, while candle-stands hinted at evening rituals, blending utility with poetic beauty. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection (H. O. Havemeyer Collection, 1929), this print showcases ukiyo-e's pinnacle of craftsmanship, bridging art and literature in a golden age of Japanese printmaking. A quiet gem for admirers of precision and poetry.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820