Clearing Breeze from a Fan (Ogi no seiran)

Art Historical Context

**Clearing Breeze from a (Ogi no seiran)** Kitao Shigemasa, c. 1772 woodblock print; koban, trimmed .8 × 18.5 cm (7 × 7 1/4 in.) Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of Asia Step into the graceful world of Edo-period Japan with Kitao Shigemasa's *Clearing Breeze from a (Ogi no seiran)*, a charming color woodblock print from around 1772. Shigemasa, a versatile ukiyo-e master for his illustrations and bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women), captures a poetic moment likely evoking a woman wielding an ogi fan to stir a refreshing breeze. The intimate koban format—compact and square-like—made these prints affordable treasures for urban dwellers in bustling Edo (modern Tokyo), perfect for personal collections or album leaves. This trimmed koban exemplifies the artistry of ukiyo-e, the "pictures of the floating world" that celebrated fleeting pleasures amid Japan's isolated prosperity under the Tokugawa shogunate. Shigemasa's refined technique shines through multilayered woodblock printing, where separate blocks delivered vibrant hues and subtle gradients, revolutionizing accessible color art. Fans like the ogi held deep cultural resonance, symbols of elegance in theater, courtship, and daily life, blending utility with aesthetic delight. Visitors will delight in this snapshot of 18th-century refinement, where a simple breeze whispers tales of leisure and beauty. (198 words)

About the Artist

Kitao Shigemasa · 1739–1820

Kitao Shigemasa (1739–1820), born in the bustling Nihonbashi district of Edo (modern Tokyo), emerged as a pivotal figure in ukiyo-e woodblock printing during Japan's Edo period. The eldest son of the bookseller Suharaya Mohei—from a lineage of publishers—Shigemasa, originally named Kitabatake Tarōkichi, was immersed in the world of printing from youth. Largely self-taught, he later studied under t...