Print

Art Historical Context

This vibrant woodblock print by Ichiryūsai Yoshoyo, created around 1863, captures lively scene of men and elephants, blending everyday Japanese life with exotic wonder. Measuring 14½ x 9⅞ inches, it's a fine example of ukiyo, the "pictures of the floating world genre that flourished in Edo-period Japan (1603–1868). Yoshitoyo, a lesser-known but skilled artist in the tradition of masters like Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi, specialized in dynamic genre scenes, often featuring performers, wrestlers, and novelties. The medium—ink and color on paper via woodblock printing—highlights a collaborative Japanese technique: artisans carved separate blocks for each color, registering them precisely to layer vivid hues like reds, blues, and golds. This affordable method made art accessible to commoners, disseminating images of theater, travel, and curiosities. Elephants, rare in Japan, evoke the era's fascination with foreign imports and traveling shows just before the Meiji Restoration opened the nation to the West. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1959 by Lincoln Kirstein, this print offers a window into late Edo curiosity and artistry.

About the Artist

Ichiryūsai Yoshitoyo · 1830–1866

Japanese, 1830–1866