Artwork

『雪中梅荘群児遊戯図』|Children Playing in the Snow under Plum Trees in Bloom (Secchū baisō gunji yūgi zu)

『雪中梅荘群児遊戯図』|Children Playing in the Snow under Plum Trees in Bloom (Secchū baisō gunji yūgi zu) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Yōshū (Hashimoto) Chikanobu. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Yōshū Chikanobu’s triptych, titled *Children Playing in the Snow under Plum Trees in Bloom* (Secchū baisō gunji yūgi zu), was produced in 1887. Executed as woodblock prints on paper, the work combines ink and color to portray a winter scene enlivened by the presence of blooming plum trees.

Subject & Meaning

The three panels show children dressed in vivid kimonos engaged in playful activity on a snow‑covered ground. Pink plum blossoms frame the scene, juxtaposing the cold of winter with the fresh promise of spring, suggesting an idealized moment of joy rather than a literal observation of nature.

Technique & Style

Chikanobu employed traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock methods, carving separate blocks for each color and ink layer. The composition balances delicate line work for the blossoms with broader washes that convey the depth of snow, while the bright costumes provide focal points that guide the viewer’s eye across the triptych.

History & Provenance

Created during the Meiji period, the print reflects the era’s fascination with everyday life and seasonal themes. It was likely issued as part of a series depicting children at play, a popular subject in late‑19th‑century Japanese printmaking, and has since been collected by institutions focusing on Meiji‑era visual culture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Yōshū (Hashimoto) Chikanobu

Japanese, 1838–1912

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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