Begging for Alms
c. 1771
Medium
Color woodblock print; chuban
Dimensions
26.1 × 18.8 cm (10 1/4 × 7 3/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
3612
Art Historical Context
Isoda Koryūsai's *Begging for Alms*, created around 1771, is a captivating color woodblock print (iki-e) in the chuban format, measuring a modest 26.1 × 18.8 cm. This intimate size was popular for ukiyo-e—Japan's "pictures of the floating world"—allowing affordable access to art depicting everyday Edo life during the prosperous yet stratified Tokugawa period. Koryūsai, a leading figure in this vibrant genre alongside masters like Suzuki Harunobu, often captured urban scenes with a keen eye for human drama, blending beauty and social observation. The print's medium exemplifies the technical ma...