Fans decorated with motifs of the three auspicious dreams of the New Year
c. 1821
Medium
Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono
Dimensions
20.8 × 18.5 cm (8 1/4 × 7 5/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
23591
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1603–1868), Totoya Hokkei, a pupil of the famed Katsushika Hokusai, crafted this enchanting color woodblock print around 1821. Titled *Fans Decorated with Motifs of the Three Auspicious Dreams of the New Year*, it exemplifies *surimono*—luxurious, privately commissioned prints often produced for New Year's greetings. Printed in the compact *shikishiban* format (roughly 8¼ × 7⅜ inches), these works were treasured as fan-shaped keepsakes, blending artistry with seasonal celebration. The artwork depicts fans adorned with symbols from a cherished Japanese...
About the Artist
Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850
Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...