Meiji Dance Recital
1880s
Medium
Color woodblock print; surimono
Dimensions
55.5 × 45.6 cm (21 7/8 × 18 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
43238
Art Historical Context
Created during Japan’s transformative Meiji era, *Meiji Dance Recital* captures a moment when traditional performing arts met the rapid modernization sweeping the country after 1868. Artist Sessei produced this striking color woodblock print, known as a *surimono*, around the 1880s. These privately commissioned prints were prized for their exceptional craftsmanship and often marked special occasions such as poetry gatherings or seasonal celebrations. Measuring over 21 inches tall, the work’s generous size and refined printing techniques—including delicate color gradations and possible embossi...