Artwork

うし和歌春|Two Women, from the series Spring Poems on Ushiwaka for the Year of the Ox (Ushiwaka haru)

うし和歌春|Two Women, from the series Spring Poems on Ushiwaka for the Year of the Ox (Ushiwaka haru) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Hishikawa Sōri. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1805 by Hishikawa Sōri, this surimono woodblock print belongs to the series Spring Poems on Ushiwaka for the Year of the Ox. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies early‑nineteenth‑century Japanese printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts two women within a garden setting. One figure sits on the ground, dressed in vivid green and red garments and holding a handheld fan, while the other stands behind her in a deep‑red robe, also grasping a fan. The composition suggests a tranquil, private moment amid nature.

Technique & Style

Executed with ink and color on paper, the print utilizes the surimono format, which allowed for fine detail and rich pigments. Bold hues and intricate patterns on the women’s clothing are rendered through precise carving and careful registration of multiple woodblocks.

History & Provenance

The piece was produced during the Edo period, a time when surimono were often commissioned for poetry gatherings and special occasions. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, though the exact chain of ownership prior to the museum is not documented in the source.

Context

The series celebrates the Year of the Ox, linking the seasonal theme of spring with traditional Japanese poetry (waka). The inclusion of calligraphic text along the margins reinforces the connection between visual art and literary expression typical of surimono prints.