Hour of the Horse [12 am], Shrine Maiden (Uma no koku, miko), from the series “Customs of Beauties Around the Clock” ("Fuzoku bijin tokei")
c. 1798/99
![Hour of the Horse [12 am], Shrine Maiden (Uma no koku, miko), from the series “Customs of Beauties Around the Clock” ("Fuzoku bijin tokei") by Kitagawa Utamaro](https://images.artheonmuseum.org/aic/thumb/hour-of-the-horse-12-am-shrine-maiden-uma-no-koku-aic-23920.webp)
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
37.7 × 25.2 cm (14 7/8 × 9 15/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
23920
Art Historical Context
In the enchanting world of ukiyo-e, Kitagawa Utamaro'sHour of the Horse [ am], Shrine Maiden (Uma no koku, miko)* from the series *Customs of Beaut Around the Clock* (. 1798/99) captures a moment of quiet elegance at midnight. This color woodblock print on oban paper (37.7 × 25.2 cm) depicts a miko, or Shinto shrine maiden, embodying the poise and mystique associated with Japan's traditional timekeeping by zodiac animals—the Horse hour spanning 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Utamaro, a master of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women), immortalizes her in flowing robes, highlighting the grace of women in ev...
About the Artist
Kitagawa Utamaro · 1753–1806
Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753-1806) was one of the most celebrated masters of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, revolutionizing the art of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) during Japan's Edo period. Born Kitagawa Ichitaro, his early life remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting accounts placing his birth in Kyoto, Osaka, Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo), or Kawagoe in Musashi Province. Under the t...