Court Ladies Dragging a Cabinet along the Floor

Art Historical Context

In the playful woodblock print *Court Ladies Dragging a along the Floor*, Kub Shunman captures a whimsical moment from everyday life in Edo-period Japan (1615–1868). Created in the 19th century part of a luxurious *surimono* albumprivately commissioned prints often exchanged as New Year's gifts—this ink and color on paper work measures a intimate 8 1/8 x 10 9/16 inches. Shunman, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition, depicts elegant court ladies gleefully hauling a cabinet across the floor, surrounded by lush plants, blending humor with refined domesticity. Surimono like this one stand out for their technical brilliance: intricate woodblock carving allowed for vibrant colors, subtle gradations (*bokashi*), and sometimes metallic accents or embossing, elevating them beyond mass-produced prints. Produced during the prosperous Edo era, when urban culture flourished in cities like Edo (modern Tokyo), these albums reflected the era's fascination with *ukiyo-e*'s "floating world" of pleasure and transience, often incorporating poetry (though not visible here). This piece, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's H. O. Havemeyer Collection, offers a window into women's roles in elite households and Shunman's skill in animating the mundane with joy. Visitors will delight in its lighthearted charm, a testament to Japan's enduring printmaking legacy.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820