Small Cabinet and Sword Stand
probably 1816
Medium
Part of an album of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
5 5/8 x 7 9/16 in. (14.3 x 19.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
JP2256
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled within an exquisite album of surimono—deluxe, privately commissioned woodblock prints—*Small Cabinet and Sword Stand* by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai captures the refined elegance of Edo-period Japan around 1816. Shinsai, a master ukiyo-e, rendered this intimate still life in ink and vibrant color on paper, measuring just 5⅝ × 7⁹⁄₁₆ inches. Produced during the prosperous Edo period (1615–1868), surimono like this were often created for poetry gatherings or New Year's celebrations, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship and subtle luxury. The artwork depicts a petite cabinet alongside a sword stand,...
About the Artist
Ryūryūkyo Shinsai · 1799–1823
Ryūryūkyo Shinsai (柳々居辰斎), active from 1799 to 1823, was a prominent Japanese ukiyo-e printmaker based in Edo (modern Tokyo), renowned for his mastery of surimono—luxurious, privately commissioned woodblock prints produced for elite poetry circles and New Year's celebrations. He began his training under Tawaraya Sōri before becoming a student of the legendary Katsushika Hokusai, from whom he recei...