Two Women Taking a Stroll
c. 1781/89
Medium
Color woodblock print; hashira-e
Dimensions
69.9 × 11.8 cm (27 1/2 × 4 5/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
36245
Art Historical Context
"Two Women Taking a St" is a captivating color woodblock print by Kitao Masanobu, a prominent ukiyo-e artist active in late 18th-century Japan. Created around 1781–89, this hashira-e—a tall, narrow format designed for hanging on pillars in homes or teahouses—measures an impressive 69.9 × 11.8 cm. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, it exemplifies the vibrant world of Edo-period printmaking. Masanobu, known for his witty illustrations and depictions of daily life, captures two elegant women strolling leisurely, their flowing kimonos and graceful postures evoking t...