Fan, Mask of Monkey, and Hat

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate charm of *Fan, of Monkey, and Hat*, a 19th-century colorblock print by Keisai Eisen, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition. This intimate surimono—measuring just 21.6 × 19.3 cm—captures everyday objects with exquisite precision, evoking the fleeting beauty of Edo-period Japan. Eisen, active in the early 1800s and influenced by his teacher Kikugawa Eizan, was renowned for his bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), but here he turns his keen eye to still-life compositions, blending whimsy and refinement. Surimono prints like this one were luxurious, privately commissioned works, often produced for New Year's greetings or poetry gatherings among literati. Their smaller format allowed for superior craftsmanship: vibrant colors layered through meticulous woodblock carving, subtle embossing, and sometimes mica for a shimmering effect. The monkey mask hints at festive theater traditions, such as kabuki or Noh, while the fan and hat add layers of cultural playfulness, inviting viewers to ponder Japan's vibrant performative arts. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this gem showcases ukiyo-e's technical brilliance and Eisen's ability to elevate the ordinary into art. A perfect window into 19th-century Japanese aesthetics, it reminds us how prints bridged elite and popular culture. (198 words)

About the Artist

Keisai Eisen · 1790–1848

Keisai Eisen (1790–1848), born Ikeda Yoshinobu in Edo (modern Tokyo), emerged as one of the late Edo period's most prolific ukiyo-e masters. The son of the renowned calligrapher and Kanō-school painter Ikeda Shigeharu, Eisen was immersed in the arts from childhood. He apprenticed under Kanō Hakkeisai, adopting the art name "Keisai" in homage to his teacher, and later studied bijin-ga (images of be...