Scenting a kimono with incense

Art Historical Context

Yanagawa Shigenobu (active ca. 1788–1830), a talented pupil of the master Katsushika Hokusai, crafted this enchanting color woodblock print, *Scenting a Kimono with Incense*. Produced in the square *shikishiban* typical of *surimono*—luxurious, privately commissioned prints often featuring poetry—this undated work exemplifies the refined artistry of Japan's Edo-period ukiyo-e tradition. just 21.1 × 18.5 cm, its intimate scale invited personal appreciation, much like a treasured album leaf. The scene captures a graceful moment of domestic elegance: a woman delicately scenting a kimono with incense, a cherished Japanese custom known as *kōdō*. This ritual not only preserved fabrics but symbolized refinement and sensory harmony, blending sight, scent, and touch in daily life. Shigenobu's composition highlights the kimono's vibrant patterns and folds, rendered with meticulous detail that reflects ukiyo-e's celebration of beauty in the "floating world" of fleeting pleasures. Technically masterful, the print employs *nishiki-e* (brocade pictures) multi-block printing, layering vivid colors and subtle gradients for lifelike texture—from the incense smoke's ethereal wisps to the fabric's sheen. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this *surimono* underscores the cultural prestige of woodblock prints as accessible yet elite art forms, bridging public taste and private patronage.