Artwork

Suzumibune gomai-e; Ni|A Party of Geisha in a Suzumi-bune, i.e. "cooling-off boat." (Second Scene of a Boating Party)

Suzumibune gomai-e; Ni|A Party of Geisha in a Suzumi-bune, i.e. "cooling-off boat." (Second Scene of a Boating Party) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Eishōsai Chōki. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Suzumibune gomai-e; Ni, or A Party of Geisha in a Suzumi-bune, is a woodblock print from circa 1796, part of a five-panel series depicting a boating party. It is the second scene in this series.

Subject & Meaning

The print showcases a leisurely gathering of geishas on a 'cooling-off boat' (suzumi-bune). Activities include music-making with a shamisen and drum, and relaxation with a fan, set against a serene backdrop of water, boats, and a populated hillside.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the work features vibrant hues such as pink, purple, yellow, and green. The geishas wear intricately designed, traditionally patterned kimonos, highlighting the artist's attention to detail in capturing contemporary Japanese attire.

History & Provenance

Created by Eishōsai Chōki around 1796, the print is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Context

As part of a broader series on a boating party, this piece reflects the ukiyo-e genre's fascination with leisure activities and the lives of geishas, popular subjects in late 18th-century Japanese art.

Legacy

While specific impact details are not provided, as a work of the ukiyo-e tradition, it contributes to the enduring global interest in Japanese woodblock prints and the cultural insights they offer into late Edo period leisure and entertainment.