People of the Yoshiwara Enjoying the Cherry Blossom
Woodblock Print
ca. 1854 (Made)
ca. 1854 (Made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
It is hard to believe that this image is a print, so fine are its lines. Hiroshige shows us a group of people from the Yoshiwara, the only licensed prostitution district in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), going on an outing to enjoy cherry blossoms.
Fans provided a popular format for print designers' ingenuity and Hiroshige uses the length of the composition to give form to the train of people heading out to see the blossom. This design was for an elegant folding fan, similar to those held by the revellers shown, but the lack of creases on its surface suggests it was never used in this way.
The viewing of cherry blossoms, known as 'hanami', is still very popular in Japan. Weather forecasts include updates on the 'sakura zensen' or 'cherry blossom front' as it moves northwards up the country each spring. Roads fill with traffic as parties of friends make their way to parks and scenic spots where they can enjoy the cherry blossom.
Fans provided a popular format for print designers' ingenuity and Hiroshige uses the length of the composition to give form to the train of people heading out to see the blossom. This design was for an elegant folding fan, similar to those held by the revellers shown, but the lack of creases on its surface suggests it was never used in this way.
The viewing of cherry blossoms, known as 'hanami', is still very popular in Japan. Weather forecasts include updates on the 'sakura zensen' or 'cherry blossom front' as it moves northwards up the country each spring. Roads fill with traffic as parties of friends make their way to parks and scenic spots where they can enjoy the cherry blossom.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | People of the Yoshiwara Enjoying the Cherry Blossom (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Colour print from woodblocks |
| Brief description | Fan print, Hiroshige I, --, Seiro Hanami Ryakuzu, Strange p.**; Pap, Japan, prints |
| Physical description | Fan print for folding fan, colours on paper |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Purchased from Sotheby & Co. (Sale of the Satow Collection, 30 November 1911), accessioned in 1911. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | It is hard to believe that this image is a print, so fine are its lines. Hiroshige shows us a group of people from the Yoshiwara, the only licensed prostitution district in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), going on an outing to enjoy cherry blossoms. Fans provided a popular format for print designers' ingenuity and Hiroshige uses the length of the composition to give form to the train of people heading out to see the blossom. This design was for an elegant folding fan, similar to those held by the revellers shown, but the lack of creases on its surface suggests it was never used in this way. The viewing of cherry blossoms, known as 'hanami', is still very popular in Japan. Weather forecasts include updates on the 'sakura zensen' or 'cherry blossom front' as it moves northwards up the country each spring. Roads fill with traffic as parties of friends make their way to parks and scenic spots where they can enjoy the cherry blossom. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.3868-1911 |
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| Record created | March 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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