New Year in a Samurai Mansion, from the illustrated kyoka anthology "The Young God Ebisu (Waka Ebisu)"
New Year, 1789
Medium
Color woodblock print; double-page illustration from album
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
23830
Art Historical Context
Step into the lively world of Edo-period Japan with Kitagawa Utamaro'sNew Year in a Samurai Mansion*, a captivating double-page color woodblock print from the illustrated kyoka anthology *The Young Ebisu (Waka Ebisu)*, dated New Year 1789. Utamaro, a master the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world tradition, vividly portrays the joyous chaos of samurai household festivities—guests mingling, laughter echoing, and seasonal decorations abound—capturing the optimistic spirit of Oshogatsu, Japan's pivotal New Year renewal. This artwork's double-page format allows for an immersive panoramic vie...
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...