A Monkey Trainer and His Monkey

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of 18th-century Edo (modern Tokyo), Okumura Masanobu captured the playful antics of everyday life in *A Monkey Trainer and His* (c. 1725). This hand-colored woodblock print depicts street performer and his clever primate companion, likely entertaining crowds with tricks—a common sight in bustling urban markets. Masanobu a pioneering ukiyo artist, infused the scene with dynamic energy, showcasing his skill in rendering expressive figures and subtle humor that resonated with the merchant class. Printed in the narrow hosoban format (32.8 × 16.1 cm), this urushi-e employs a glossy lacquer-like coating over hand-applied colors, creating a luminous, jewel-toned effect that was revolutionary for its time. Before the multicolored nishiki-e prints of later masters like Hiroshige, Masanobu's techniques—using limited pigments and innovative shading—bridged early monochrome woodblocks to full-color splendor, making art accessible and affordable. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print exemplifies ukiyo-e's "floating world" ethos: fleeting pleasures amid Japan's Edo-period prosperity. It invites visitors to marvel at how such humble entertainments mirrored a society's joys, preserved through Masanobu's masterful craft.

About the Artist

Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764

Japanese, 1686–1764