Picture Books and Coin Purse

Art Historical Context

"Picture Books and Coin Pur" is a delightful color woodblock print created in 1824 by Utagawa (Ichiosai) Kunimitsu I, a skilled artist from the renowned Utagawa school of ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world"). intimate shikishiban surimono—measuring just 20.8 × 17.9 cm—captures everyday objects with exquisite detail, evoking the charm of Edo-period (1603–1868) Japan. The square format and luxurious production style mark it as a privately commissioned print, often made for New Year's greetings or poetic exchanges among the literati elite. Kunimitsu's work exemplifies ukiyo-e techniques, where intricate woodblocks were carved separately for each color, allowing vibrant hues and subtle gradients to bring humble items like picture books and a coin purse to life. Surimono like this one were printed in limited editions on fine paper, sometimes enhanced with mica or embossing for a tactile shimmer, highlighting the artistry's technical mastery and aesthetic refinement. In the bustling cultural scene of early 19th-century Tokyo, such prints celebrated the beauty in the ordinary, bridging art and daily life. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this piece invites us to appreciate the Utagawa school's lasting influence on global printmaking traditions.