Artwork

「職人合香聞」|Utensils for the Incense Ceremony, “Incense Master” (Kōgiki), from the series An Array of Artisans

「職人合香聞」|Utensils for the Incense Ceremony, “Incense Master” (Kōgiki), from the series An Array of Artisans is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Ryūryūkyo Shinsai. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1814 by the Edo‑period artist Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, this surimono woodblock print belongs to the series An Array of Artisans. It portrays the tools used in a traditional Japanese incense ceremony and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a modest wooden box, a folded cloth embroidered with red blossoms, a white cup bearing blue motifs, and a pair of metal implements. A faint ink sketch of a plant and Japanese characters fill the background, suggesting a quiet, ritualized moment that honors the specialized skill of the incense master.

Technique & Style

Executed in the surimono format, the work combines finely carved woodblocks with hand‑applied ink and color on paper. The delicate line work and restrained palette emphasize texture and form, while the selective use of red on the cloth provides a subtle visual accent within an otherwise muted scheme.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the early nineteenth century as part of a series celebrating various craftsmen. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through a 20th‑century acquisition, where it remains catalogued as an example of Edo‑period printmaking and artisan portraiture.

Context

An Array of Artisans documented the diverse occupations that sustained urban life in Edo Japan, offering viewers a glimpse into the daily practices of skilled workers. This particular image focuses on the incense ceremony, a cultural activity linked to both aesthetic refinement and spiritual purification.