舞楽衣装『春雨集』　摺物帖|Costume for Bugaku Court DanceFrom the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of Edo-period Japan with *Costume for Bugaku Court Dance from the Spring Rain Collection (Harus shū)*, vol. 1, a charming woodblock print (surono) by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, likely created around 1818, the Year of the Tiger Measuring just 7⅝ × 6⅞ inches, this intimate ink-and-color-on-paper work captures the elegance of traditional Bugaku court dance attire, a ritual performance dating back to the Heian period and central to imperial ceremonies. Surimono, meaning "printed things," were deluxe, privately commissioned prints often produced for New Year's greetings or poetry gatherings, showcasing superior craftsmanship with vibrant colors, fine lines, and subtle textures. Shinsai, a master of ukiyo-e, infused this piece with playful delight—note the cats perched on tables, blending the grandeur of Bugaku costumes with everyday humor. These feline motifs reflect the artist's signature whimsy, making elite court culture accessible and endearing. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department from the prestigious H. O. Havemeyer Collection, this print highlights the Edo era's (1615–1868) fusion of refinement and levity, inviting us to appreciate Japan's rich performative heritage through a cat's curious gaze.

About the Artist

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai · 1799–1823

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai (柳々居辰斎), active from 1799 to 1823, was a prominent Japanese ukiyo-e printmaker based in Edo (modern Tokyo), renowned for his mastery of surimono—luxurious, privately commissioned woodblock prints produced for elite poetry circles and New Year's celebrations. He began his training under Tawaraya Sōri before becoming a student of the legendary Katsushika Hokusai, from whom he recei...