Narumi tot Chiriyu

About this artwork

kleurenhoutsnede; lijnblok in zwart met kleurblokken

Art Historical Context

**Narumi tot Chiriyu is a captivating *nishiki-e* (brocade print) by Utagawa Kuniy, one of the most inventive masters of Japan's ukiyo-e tradition, created between 1833 and 1837. Measuring 253 mm high by 378 mm wide—standard *oban* size for the era—this color woodblock print exemplifies the world of Edo-period (1603–1868) art. Kuniyoshi, known for his dynamic warrior scenes and whimsical imagery, here turns his hand to a landscape likely evoking stations along the historic Tōkaidō road, with "Narumi" and "Chiriyu" (or Chiryū) referring to key post towns between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. The print's technique is a marvel of collaborative craftsmanship: a black line block (*key block*) carves the intricate outlines, followed by multiple color blocks brushed with pigments to layer vivid hues, as noted in its description (*kleurenhoutsnede; lijnblok in zwart met kleurblokken*). This *nishiki-e* method, perfected in the 1760s, allowed mass production of affordable, luxurious art for urban merchants and travelers, capturing the "floating world" of everyday life and journeys. Culturally, such prints fueled wanderlust during Japan's isolationist sakoku period, romanticizing the Tōkaidō's perils and beauties. Kuniyoshi's bold compositions added drama, influencing later artists like Vincent van Gogh. A window into 19th-century Japan, this piece invites visitors to trace the footsteps of samurai and pilgrims.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi · 1797–1861

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was born in Edo to the silk-dyer Yanagiya Kichiyemon, originally bearing the childhood name Yoshisaburō. From a young age, he assisted in his family's pattern design work, which sharpened his innate mastery of color and textile motifs that would permeate his later prints. At around twelve years old, his prodigious drawing skills drew the attention of the renowned Utag...