Women Preparing Sashimi
1806–20
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
15 x 10 in. (38.1 x 25.4 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1919
Accession Number
JP1122
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Kitagawa Utam's *Women Preparing Sashimi (ca. 1806–20) captures a serene domestic moment through the lens of ukiyo-e, the "pictures of the floating world" that celebrated everyday urban life. Utamaro, a master bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), portrays two elegant women deftly slicing raw fish for sashimi, their poised gestures reflecting the grace and skill of Japanese homemakers. This woodblock print, measuring a compact 15 x 10 inches, exemplifies the genre's focus on feminine beauty intertwined with daily rituals, from tea ceremonie...
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...