神事行燈 初編|Festival Lanterns, First Series (Shinji andon shohen) 神事行燈 初編

Art Historical Context

Step into the lively world of Edo-period Japan *Festival Lanterns, First Series* (Shin andon shohen), captivating woodblock-printed book created by Ōishi M in 1829 (Bunsei 12). This illustrated volume, measuring a compact 9 × 6 3/16 inches, with ink and color on paper, capturing the essence of traditional festivals illuminated by glowing lanterns. Produced during the final decades of the Edo era (1615–1868), it reflects a time when woodblock printing democratized art, making vivid scenes accessible to everyday viewers through affordable books. Ōishi Matora, a skilled printmaker, employs the intricate ukiyo-e technique—carving designs into wooden blocks and layering colors—to depict dynamic festival moments, highlighted by tags noting swords and men. These elements evoke the spirited energy of matsuri celebrations, where communities gathered amid lanterns, processions, and perhaps ceremonial warriors, blending reverence with revelry. Such books were cultural treasures, preserving ephemeral events and showcasing Japan's mastery of multi-block color printing, a hallmark of Edo artistry. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department (Purchase, Mary and James G. Wallach Foundation Gift, 2013), this first series invites us to ponder the joyous heart of Japanese traditions, where light, steel, and human connection intertwined.

About the Artist

Ōishi Matora 大石真虎 (Japanese) · 1793 –1833

Japanese, 1793–1833