Artwork

喜多川歌麿画『男踏歌』鶯の餌すり|“Preparing Food for the Warbler,” from the album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka, uguisu no esa suri)

喜多川歌麿画『男踏歌』鶯の餌すり|“Preparing Food for the Warbler,” from the album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka, uguisu no esa suri) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, created in 1798 by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicts a domestic interior scene titled “Preparing Food for the Warbler.” It forms part of the multi‑page album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka) and is executed on paper with ink and color. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents three women engaged in everyday tasks within a modest room. One figure sits by a window, gazing outward, while another leans on the sill, attending to a small bird, likely a warbler. A third woman stands nearby, holding a basket, suggesting the preparation of food for the bird. The composition captures a quiet moment of domestic care.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employed the ukiyo‑e woodblock process, printing a single page from a larger book. Ink outlines define the figures, while subtle color washes convey the light interior and the distant landscape visible through the window. The delicate brushwork and restrained palette reflect the artist’s skill in rendering intimate, genre‑type scenes.

History & Provenance

The print was produced as part of a bound album intended for private circulation in the late Edo period. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains catalogued as a representative example of Utamaro’s genre prints.

Context

In the late 18th century, ukiyo‑e artists frequently illustrated scenes of daily life, especially those involving women’s activities. Utamaro, known for his nuanced portrayals of female subjects, integrates a subtle narrative about the relationship between humans and nature, here illustrated by the act of feeding a warbler, a bird associated with seasonal change in Japanese culture.