Six Wine Cups

Art Historical Context

Nestled within the H. O. Havemeyer Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art *Six Wine Cups* is a exquisite example of Japanese surimono from the early 19th, during the vibrant Edo period (16151868). This intimate woodblock print, measuring just under 4 by 5½ inches, captures six elegantly arranged wine cups in ink and color on paper. Surimono, meaning "printed things," were privately commissioned luxury prints, often produced for poetry societies or New Year's greetings, showcasing the refined tastes of Japan's urban elite. Crafted by an unidentified artist, the work exemplifies the technical mastery of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, where multiple carved blocks were layered to achieve subtle gradations of color and fine detail. These small-scale gems were prized for their portability and could be bound into albums like this one, allowing collectors to savor them up close. The modest dimensions belie their cultural weight: wine cups evoke themes of conviviality, poetry, and seasonal celebration, hallmarks of Edo-era literati culture. Today, *Six Wine Cups* offers a window into Japan's golden age of printmaking, blending artistry with social ritual in a format that feels both timeless and touchingly personal.