Who painted Igirisujin|Englishmen?

Igirisujin|Englishmen was painted by Utagawa Yoshikazu in 1861.

Where can I see Igirisujin|Englishmen?

Igirisujin|Englishmen is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Igirisujin|Englishmen?

Igirisujin|Englishmen is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Igirisujin|Englishmen

Utagawa Yoshikazu , 1861

Igirisujin|Englishmen is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Yoshikazu. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Igirisujin, translated as “Englishmen,” is a woodblock print executed in ink and color on paper by the Japanese artist Utagawa Yoshikazu in 1861. The work measures a modest size typical of ukiyo-e prints and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents two Western figures on a dock beneath a clear blue sky. The seated individual wears a dark military uniform, white trousers and a peaked cap, while the standing figure is clad in a long green coat, top hat and brown breeches, holding a cane. A British‑style warship with red flags and white sails drifts behind them, underscoring the theme of foreign presence in Japan.

Technique & Style

Yoshikazu employs the traditional ukiyo-e woodblock process, applying bold, flat areas of color to delineate the figures and background. The composition relies on simple geometric forms and strong outlines, allowing the characters to stand out sharply against the sky and water. The limited palette emphasizes contrast, particularly the vivid blues and reds that draw the viewer’s eye.

History & Provenance

Created during the late Edo period, a time when Japan was opening to foreign trade, the print reflects contemporary interest in Western visitors. After its production, the sheet entered the market for Japanese prints and was eventually acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Asian art holdings.

Context

The print belongs to a broader genre of “gaikokujin” (foreigners) imagery that proliferated in the 1850s and 1860s as Japanese audiences encountered Europeans for the first time. Yoshikazu’s depiction of Englishmen on a dock, accompanied by a warship, mirrors the political and cultural curiosity sparked by the arrival of foreign ships and diplomats in port cities such as Yokohama.