The First Month (Mutsuki), from the series "Fashionable Twelve Seasons (Furyu juni kiko)"

Art Historical Context

Torii Kiyonaga (1752–1815), a leading figure in Japan's ukiyo-e tradition during the late Edo period, created *The First Month (Muki)* around 1779 as part of his celebrated series *Fashionable Twelve Seasons (Furyu juni kiko)*. This color woodblock print in the compact chuban format (26.1 × 19.2 cm) captures the elegance of everyday life, showcasing beautifully dressed women amid seasonal motifs. As the first installment representing January—Mutsuki in the traditional lunar calendar—it likely evokes New Year's festivities, blending fashion with cultural rituals in the "floating world" of urban pleasures. Kiyonaga's mastery shines in his refined bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women), characterized by graceful figures, subtle shading, and vibrant colors achieved through the nishiki-e technique of multi-block printing. This innovation allowed for intricate gradients and brocade-like richness, making his works highly sought after. The chuban size suited affordable, intimate viewing, popular among merchants and theater-goers in 18th-century Edo (modern Tokyo). Held in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print exemplifies ukiyo-e's role in documenting fleeting trends in kimono styles and seasonal customs, offering a window into Japan's vibrant social fabric and the artistry that democratized beauty for the masses.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyonaga · 1752–1815

Torii Kiyonaga, born Sekiguchi Shinsuke in 1752 in Uraga, Sagami Province, was the son of an Edo bookseller who owned tenements near a bustling fish market. At age 14 in 1765, he began his apprenticeship under Torii Kiyomitsu, the third-generation head of the prestigious Torii school of ukiyo-e, renowned for kabuki theater illustrations and signage. Adopted into the Torii family, Kiyonaga succeede...