Wine-Set for the New Year Ceremony

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, where Kubo Shunman's *Wine-Set for the Year Ceremony* (19th century) captivates with its delicate charm. This intimate woodblock print, or *surimono*, measures just 8¼ x 7¼ inches and was crafted Japan's Edo period (16151868). *Surimono* were privately commissioned prints, often produced in small editions for poetry circles or special occasions, featuring lavish techniques like vibrant inks, metallic pigments, and subtle embossing to create a tactile, jewel-like quality on paper. The artwork depicts a refined wine set—likely a sake service—prepared for Japan's traditional New Year (*shōgatsu*) celebrations, a time of renewal, feasting, and communal toasts. Edo-era customs emphasized such rituals to honor ancestors and usher in prosperity, with sake symbolizing warmth and good fortune. Shunman, a versatile ukiyo-e artist and haiku poet, infused his works with elegant wit and seasonal motifs, blending everyday beauty with poetic elegance. Part of the esteemed H. O. Havemeyer Collection, this print exemplifies the technical mastery of woodblock printing, where carvers and printers collaborated to achieve stunning color gradients and fine details. It offers a window into Japan's vibrant print culture, reminding us how art intertwined with life's joyous milestones.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820