19th century
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Image: 13 5/8 × 9 5/8 in. (34.6 × 24.4 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of the Estate of Samuel Isham, 1914
Accession Number
JP212.68
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), a leading figure of Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), captures the vibrant world of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." Produced in the 19th century, it exemplifies Kunisada's mastery in depicting theatrical scenes and everyday life, often featuring kabuki actors as heroic men—a nod to the tag "Men." As one of the most prolific print designers of his time, Kunisada bridged traditional techniques with bold innovations, influencing later artists like those in the Impressionist movement in Europe. Crafted using the intricate...
About the Artist
Utagawa Kunisada · 1786–1864
**Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865)** Born in 1786 in the Honjo district of Edo (modern Tokyo), Utagawa Kunisada hailed from a family with a hereditary ferry-boat service that provided financial stability, allowing him to pursue art from a young age. His father, an amateur poet of note, died shortly after his birth, leaving young Sumida Shōgorō (Kunisada's childhood name) to nurture his evident talent...