Utensils for Tea and a Cake-Bowl
19th century
Medium
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
5 5/8 x 7 7/16 in. (14.3 x 18.9 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
JP2085
Tags
Art Historical Context
Kikugawa Eizan (1787–1867), a master of ukiyo-e woodblock during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), created *Utensils for Tea a Cake-Bowl* in the 19th century This intimate surimono—a deluxe, privately commissioned print—depicts everyday yet elegant tea ware, including teapots and a bowl, rendered in vibrant ink and color on paper Measuring just 5⅝ × 7⅜ inches, its compact size was ideal for personal albums or New Year's greetings, showcasing Eizan's skill in capturing subtle textures and serene compositions. Surimono like this one stand out for their refined printing techniques, often featuring...
About the Artist
Kikugawa Eizan · 1787–1867
Kikukawa Eizan (1787–1867), born Toshinobu Ōmiya in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), emerged as one of the late Edo period's foremost ukiyo-e artists, specializing in the delicate art of *bijin-ga*—depictions of beautiful women imbued with poetic grace. The son of Kikugawa Eiji, a painter in the Kanō school tradition known for fans and minor works, Eizan began his training under his father. He later studie...