Visiting the Sanno Shrine

Art Historical Context

"Visiting the Sanno Shrine" is a delicate color woodblock print created by Totoya Hokkei 1824, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition during Japan's Edo period Measuring just 19.8 × 16.8 cm, this shikishiban-format surimono exemplifies the intimate scale favored for private commissions. Hokkei, a of the renowned Katsushika Hokusai, brought his expertise in landscapes and genre scenes to this work, capturing a moment of devotion at the famed Sanno Shrine in Edo (modern Tokyo), a key Shinto site linked to imperial and shogunal worship. Surimono, meaning "printed things," were luxurious, limited-edition prints often produced for New Year's greetings or poetry gatherings among the literati. Printed on high-quality paper with vibrant colors, metallic pigments, and sometimes embossing, they showcased the pinnacle of woodblock techniques—precise carving by artisans and meticulous color registration. The square shikishiban format added elegance, making these treasures collector's items rather than mass-market items. This print highlights ukiyo-e's focus on everyday beauty and cultural rituals, offering a glimpse into 19th-century Japanese pilgrimage life. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, it invites us to appreciate Hokkei's subtle artistry and the harmonious blend of spirituality and artistry in Edo-era Japan.

About the Artist

Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850

Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...