風俗画報|Fūzoku gahō (Illustrated Customs) Vol. 1 (issues 1–10)

Art Historical Context

This woodblock-printed book, titled *Fūzoku gahō* (Illustrated Customs), compiles the first ten issues of a popular Meiji-period periodical from 1889. Produced with ink on paper in the traditional Japanese technique of woodblock printing, it captures the everyday life, fashion, and social practices of Japan during a time of rapid modernization. The Meiji era (1868–1912) marked Japan’s opening to Western influences, and publications like this served as visual records of customs that were beginning to evolve. As an illustrated volume, it highlights the enduring role of woodblock printing in making art and information accessible to a broad audience. Rather than focusing on famous artists, the work emphasizes collective documentation of Japanese society—depicting clothing, festivals, and daily scenes with lively detail. Its compact format, roughly 9 13/16 by 7 5/16 inches, made it easy for readers to enjoy at home. Today, this volume offers museum visitors a window into late-nineteenth-century Japan, blending artistic tradition with the documentary impulse of the modern age.