Episode 73 (Nanajusan dan), from the series "Tales of Ise for the Asakusa Group (Asakusagawa Ise Monogatari)"

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan, Kubo Shunman (1777–1845) crafted *Episode 73 (Nanajusan dan)* from his series *Tales of Ise for the Asak Group (Asakus Ise Monogatari around 1812. This intimate woodblock print draws from the 10th-century *Tales of Ise*, a beloved collection of poetry and prose celebrating love, nature, and courtly life. Shunman, a master of ukiyo-e known for his delicate, painterly style blending literati influences with popular print traditions, tailored this series for the Asakusa Group—a circle of poetry enthusiasts from Tokyo's bustling Asakusa district. Printed in the luxurious *surimono* format—a privately commissioned genre often gifted during New Year's—the work measures a compact 21.1 × 18.3 cm in *shikishiban* (square album size). Its color woodblock technique features rich pigments, subtle embossing, and metallic accents like mica, evoking the elegance of elite patronage amid Japan's urban print culture boom. These prints weren't mass-produced but celebrated poetic gatherings, making them cultural treasures. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece highlights surimono's role in bridging classical literature and contemporary life, offering visitors a window into Japan's refined artistic world where poetry and visual beauty intertwined.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820