Untitled

Kitagawa Utamaro

ca. 1800 · Woodblock print; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

The title of the series reveals that it parodies three evening scenes from the early-thirteenth-century anthology Shinkokin wakashū. The scenes are of sunset, the cool of twilight, and an evening rain. This image displays an appreciation of ordinary aspects of daily life, capturing the moment that the couple sets out in the rain, he tucks up his robe, and she prepares to open her umbrella. Utamaro, a prolific ukiyo-e artist, was fascinated by themes of daily life as well as by beautiful women.

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Date

ca. 1800

Medium

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1914