Who painted First Bonito of the Year?

First Bonito of the Year was painted by Utagawa Kunisada in 1846.

Where can I see First Bonito of the Year?

First Bonito of the Year is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is First Bonito of the Year?

First Bonito of the Year is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

First Bonito of the Year

Utagawa Kunisada , 1846

First Bonito of the Year is a print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kunisada. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

It celebrates the first bonito catch of the season—a fish so prized that people would pay a month’s rent for one.

You see a fisherman holding up a big, shiny bonito fish while two boys cheer behind him.

This print was made for everyday people in Edo (now Tokyo). It celebrates the first bonito catch of the season—a fish so prized that people would pay a month’s rent for one. The bright colors and bold lines were meant to grab attention in a crowded print shop.

To see more prints like this, look up the subject: japan, edo period (1615–1868).

Overview

First Bonito of the Year is a print created by Utagawa Kunisada in 1846, currently held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a fisherman proudly displaying a large bonito fish, cheered on by two boys. It commemorates the first bonito catch of the season, a highly valued event in Edo (now Tokyo), where bonito was so prized that it commanded high prices.

Technique & Style

The work features bright colors and bold lines, characteristic of its time, designed to capture attention in crowded print shops, reflecting its intended audience of everyday people.

Context

This print is representative of Edo period (1615–1868) Japanese art, a time when such prints were popular among the general population.