Englishmen (Igirisujin)
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
32337
Art Historical Context
**Englishmen (Igirisujin)**, created by Utagawa Yoshazu in 1861, is a vibrant color woodblock print in the oban format—a standard large size (about 10 x 14 inches) popular in ukiyo-e art. Yoshikazu, a prolific artist from the renowned Utagawa school, in scenes of daily life, theater, and current events. This print exemplifies the intricate woodblock technique: artisans carved separate blocks for each color, layering vivid hues like reds, blues, and golds to achieve striking depth and realism from a single sheet of paper. Produced during Japan's late Edo period, just before the Meiji Restorati...
About the Artist
Utagawa Yoshikazu
Utagawa Yoshikazu (active circa 1850–1870) was a Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print artist who came of age during one of the most dynamic periods in Japanese history — the twilight of the Edo period and the dawning of the Meiji era. Born and active in Edo (present-day Tokyo), he trained under the celebrated master Utagawa Kuniyoshi, one of the towering figures of the Utagawa school renowned for his ...