Artwork

新柳二十四時午前十二時|Twenty-Four Hours at Shinbashi/Yanagibashi: 12 Noon. (Shinyanagi nijūyo-ji, gozen jūni-ji)

新柳二十四時午前十二時|Twenty-Four Hours at Shinbashi/Yanagibashi: 12 Noon. (Shinyanagi nijūyo-ji, gozen jūni-ji) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Yoshitoshi. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1880 by the Japanese printmaker Tsukasa Yoshitoshi, this woodblock work depicts a moment at noon within the series “Twenty‑Four Hours at Shinbashi/Yanagibashi.” Executed with ink and color on paper, the piece is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and illustrates everyday urban life through a single, carefully composed scene.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a woman seated on a green chair, dressed in a dark robe edged with vivid red trim. Her hair is pulled back and her expression is tranquil, while a modest vase of pink blossoms rests nearby. Above her, a smaller vignette shows laundry hanging outdoors, suggesting the routine domestic activities that fill the midday hour.

Technique & Style

The palette—dominated by reds, greens, and purples—pops against an otherwise plain background, emphasizing the figure and the ancillary scene.

Yoshitoshi employs the traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock process, layering ink and bright pigments to achieve strong contrasts. The palette—dominated by reds, greens, and purples—pops against an otherwise plain background, emphasizing the figure and the ancillary scene. Precise carving and careful registration allow the intricate details of clothing, furniture, and the hanging clothes to be rendered clearly.

History & Provenance

The print was produced during the late Meiji period, a time when Japanese artists were responding to rapid modernization while preserving classic techniques. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s representation of Japanese printmaking.

Context

“Twenty‑Four Hours at Shinbashi/Yanagibashi” documents a full day in a bustling Tokyo district, reflecting the everyday rhythms of the era. By focusing on a single hour—noon—Yoshitoshi captures a moment of quiet domesticity amid the surrounding urban activity, offering insight into the social fabric of Meiji‑era Japan.