Artwork

柳々居辰斎画子春嫁入の具『春雨集』摺物帖|Accoutrements for a Bride, from the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1

柳々居辰斎画子春嫁入の具『春雨集』摺物帖|Accoutrements for a Bride, from the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1 is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Ryūryūkyo Shinsai. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accoutrements for a Bride, from the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol.

About this work

Overview

Accoutrements for a Bride, from the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1, is a woodblock print (surimono) by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, dated circa 1816. The work is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene, traditionally furnished Japanese room preparing for a bride's arrival. Elements include a high-backed wooden chair, a low table with drawer, a stand with draped white cloth, and a green leaf-patterned kimono on the floor. Japanese writing adorns the wall, evoking an atmosphere of understated elegance and readiness for the bride's new life.

Technique & Style

Executed as a surimono woodblock print, the piece showcases the artist's use of ink and color on paper. The composition's simplicity and the selective use of pattern (notably the kimono) reflect the restrained aesthetic often associated with Japanese domestic scenes of the period.

History & Provenance

Created around 1816 by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, the print is now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though the full provenance history prior to its acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

This work belongs to the broader context of early 19th-century Japanese woodblock printing, specifically the surimono genre, which often featured intricate designs and was typically used for special occasions or as gifts.

Legacy

While specific influence or notable exhibitions of this piece are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader understanding and appreciation of Ryūryūkyo Shinsai's oeuvre and the surimono print tradition within Japanese art history.