Flirtation under the Cherry Tree

Art Historical Context

**Flirtation under the Cherry Tree** is a captivating woodblock print by Sug Jihei, created around 1684–98 during Japan's Edo period. This o-oban sized work (24.5 × 36.9 cm) captures a tender romantic moment beneath blooming cherry trees, evoking the fleeting beauty of spring. Sugimura, a prominent early ukiyo-e artist and follower of master Hishikawa Moron, specialized in depicting the "floating world" of everyday pleasures, courtesans, and urban life in Edo (modern Tokyo). Rendered in sumizuri-e—a pioneering monochromatic technique using only black ink and subtle gradations—this print showcases the artistry of early woodblock printing. Before the vibrant multicolored urushi-e prints of later decades, sumizuri-e relied on masterful carving and shading to convey depth, texture, and emotion, making Jihei's fluid lines and dynamic compositions stand out. Its large o-oban format was ambitious for the era, allowing intricate details in figures' kimonos and blossoms. Held in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece highlights ukiyo-e's cultural role in celebrating hanami (cherry blossom viewing) traditions, symbolizing life's impermanence (mono no aware). It offers visitors a window into 17th-century Japan's playful social scenes, blending sensuality with poetic nature.