Artwork

Leftmost Print from Pleasure Boats on the Sumida River beneath Shin-Ōhashi Bridge

Leftmost Print from Pleasure Boats on the Sumida River beneath Shin-Ōhashi Bridge is a print by the Romanticist artist Chôbunsai Eishi. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, part of the *Pleasure Boats on the Sumida River beneath Shin-Ōhashi Bridge* series, depicts a serene everyday scene from Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows two women in traditional long kimonos crossing a wooden bridge, their robes gently swaying, capturing an ordinary moment transformed into a graceful tableau.

Technique & Style

Characteristic of Eishi's work, the print features elegant lines and flowing drapery, exemplifying the aesthetic of *ukiyo-e* woodblock prints.

History & Provenance

Created by Eishi, a versatile artist known for both painting and printmaking, this work was designed for a broad audience, including the general populace, not exclusively the wealthy.

Context

Reflecting the slower pace of life in Edo, the scene embodies the quiet elegance of the era, inviting viewers to explore the broader *ukiyo-e* tradition for similar serene depictions.

Artist & collection

Artist

Chôbunsai Eishi

Chōbunsai Eishi (鳥文斎栄之; 1756–1829) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist. His last name was Hosoda (細田). His first name was Tokitomi (時富). His common name was Taminosuke (民之丞) and later Yasaburo (弥三郎). Pupil of Kano Eisen'in…