女織蚕手業草　十|The Making of Silk Floss

About this artwork

This prints by japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro exemplifies the artistic achievements of ca. 1790. Japanese artists developed sophisticated visual traditions with distinct aesthetic principles that profoundly influenced both Eastern and Western art. The artist's work in woodblock print; ink and color on paper demonstrates the importance of printmaking as both an artistic medium and a means of disseminating images widely. Executed in woodblock print; ink and color on paper, this work demonstrates...

Art Historical Context

Kitagawa Utamaro's *The Making of Silk Floss (from the series *Onna Orimugi Tewaza Sō*, ca. 1790) captures the graceful labor of women engaged in sericulture, a vital industry in Edo-period Japan (1615–1868). As a master of uki-e—"pictures of the floating world"—Utamaro in bijin-ga, exquisite portrayals of beautiful women, blending everyday activities with poetic elegance. This woodblock print highlights the meticulous process of silk production, from reeling cocoons to creating floss, reflecting Japan's deep cultural reverence for craftsmanship and harmony with nature. Printed in vibrant ink...

About the Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro · 1753–1806

Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753-1806) was one of the most celebrated masters of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, revolutionizing the art of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) during Japan's Edo period. Born Kitagawa Ichitaro, his early life remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting accounts placing his birth in Kyoto, Osaka, Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo), or Kawagoe in Musashi Province. Under the t...