Artwork

百人一首 陽成院|Yozei no In

百人一首 陽成院|Yozei no In, by Suzuki Harunobu, ink, 1766
百人一首 陽成院|Yozei no In, by Suzuki Harunobu, ink, 1766

百人一首 陽成院|Yozei no In is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

百人一首 陽成院|Yozei no In is a late 18th-century woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, dated circa 1766, executed in ink and color on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene domestic moment: one woman in a greenish robe with a striped sash climbs a wooden ladder to pluck blossoming branches, while another, dressed in a floral-patterned robe, observes from below, holding a fan. The scene emphasizes everyday life’s quiet intimacy.

Technique & Style

Characterized by delicate lines and attention to textile detail, the print showcases Suzuki Harunobu’s mastery of woodblock printing. The composition balances simplicity (ladder, poses) with intricate patterns (robes), set against a subdued background featuring a tiled roof and Japanese script.

History & Provenance

The work is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Created in the mid-Edo period, it reflects the era’s aesthetic preferences for ukiyo-e prints capturing daily life and nature.

Context

Produced during the Edo period (1603-1867), this print aligns with the growing interest in depicting the lives of the emerging middle class and the beauty of transient natural moments, such as blossoming branches.

Legacy

As a work by Suzuki Harunobu, a pivotal figure in the development of ukiyo-e, 百人一首 陽成院|Yozei no In contributes to the broader legacy of Japanese woodblock printing’s influence on global art, particularly in its portrayal of serene, everyday scenes.

Artist & collection