[Hinemosu Art Research Institute] Cherry Blossom Ukiyo-e
Hello! I'm Inagaki, the director.
Before I knew it, the new fiscal year had arrived. Cherry blossom season is here in the blink of an eye.
This time, let's enjoy spring in Edo through Ukiyo-e prints depicting cherry blossoms🌸
I'll be introducing some particularly gorgeous works that feature cherry blossoms and women as the main subjects!
1. Women in the pleasure quarters want to go cherry blossom viewing too
In the Edo period, famous spots for cherry blossoms included Ueno, Shinagawa, Asukayama, and along the Sumida River.
Ukiyo-e prints often depict women of various social statuses enjoying cherry blossoms at these famous locations.
Competing in beauty while highlighting each other's charm... I'll introduce some gorgeous Ukiyo-e prints like that!
Source: The Art Institute of Chicago
Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) was a star Ukiyo-e artist who also had a major influence on Utamaro.
His eight-head-tall female figures, reminiscent of Western art, were a shock to the people of that time.
The title "Minami" (South) refers to Shinagawa.
It was the first post station on the Tokaido road, and it had a pleasure quarter so popular it was said, "Yoshiwara in the north, Shinagawa in the south."
Shinagawa was symbolized by the sea, and Gotenyama, which overlooked the sea, was a famous spot for cherry blossoms.
This print depicts women enjoying cherry blossom viewing at Gotenyama during the peak of the bloom.
The round shape of the cherry blossoms is cute, isn't it?
The combination of pink and white flowers with the pale green of the leaves is truly beautiful.
Nowadays, the Somei Yoshino is the mainstream cherry blossom, but it was actually developed at the end of the Edo period. It is said to have become widespread after the Meiji era.
In the Edo period, people enjoyed a variety of cherry blossoms, such as the mountain cherry (Yamazakura) and the Higan cherry.
Because they bloomed at different times, the cherry blossom viewing season was quite long.
These prints were sold individually, but they can also be enjoyed as a two-piece set.
On the right side, you can see a man on the far right who looks like a hokan (taikomochi). These were male entertainers who would entertain guests at banquets and liven up the atmosphere.
Judging by their attire, this is likely a group of Shinagawa courtesans and geisha.
The woman on the left with the blue umbrella is thought to be an Edo geisha.
Unlike in Yoshiwara, it seems they were able to go out quite freely.
Oh, by the way, women who are drunk often appear in Ukiyo-e too!
Source: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
She is quite spectacularly drunk.
She is being held by the hand by a woman who came with her, and she can barely walk.
The women on the right cannot hold back their laughter as they walk while looking back.
Drinking sake while viewing cherry blossoms—it's no wonder they're in such a good mood!
2. Palace ladies want to go cherry blossom viewing too
Source: The Art Institute of Chicago
This is also a print by Torii Kiyonaga.
This time it looks like a weeping cherry tree! The way it gracefully droops is elegant.
Since they are wearing "ageboushi" (hoods) on their heads, they must be women of the samurai class.
A group of palace ladies (gotenjochu) dressed in gorgeous kimonos is also frequently depicted in Ukiyo-e.
How elegant to spend time picking herbs in a field under the cherry blossoms!
You can feel how the women are relaxing and enjoying the cherry blossom viewing.
The courtesans and palace maids depicted here werefigures of admirationthat commoners rarely had the chance to see.
That is likely why they gained popularity as a theme for ukiyo-e.
Next time, I will introduce the cherry blossoms of Yoshiwara. Look forward to it!