「横浜買物圖繒 唐物店之圖」|Curio Shop in Yokohama

Sadahide employs the traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock method, using bold outlines to define the ships’ multiple masts and billowing sails. The palette is restrained, dominated by muted blues and grays, while selective touches of brighter hue emphasize the flag and the motion of the waves, creating a sense of kinetic energy across the three panels.

Created in the early 1860s, shortly after Yokohama opened to foreign trade, the print reflects contemporary interest in documenting the new international presence. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through a 20th‑century acquisition of Japanese prints, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Asian art holdings.

The image belongs to a broader genre of Edo‑period prints that recorded the rapid changes in Japanese port cities following the end of sakoku (national isolation). Sadahide, known for his detailed topographical works, frequently depicted foreign ships and customs, providing visual records of Japan’s early encounters with Western commerce.