Hama-Yumi and Buriburi-Gitcho, Boy's Toys, for the New Year Celebration

Art Historical Context

Kubo Shunman's *Hama-Yumi andiburi-Gitcho, Boy's Toys, for New Year Celebration* is delightful 19th-century woodblock print (imono) from Japan's Edo period (16151868). This intimate work, measuring just 7 7/8 x 7 3/16 inches, captures the joy of childhood through traditional boys' toys: the hama-yumi, a toy bow and arrow mimicking samurai weapons, and the buriburiitcho, a playful-making device. Created as a New Year's greeting, surimono like this were privately commissioned luxury prints, often featuring poetry, vibrant colors, and embossing for special occasions. Shunman, a master of ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world), infused the scene with Edo-era urban whimsy, reflecting a prosperous society's love for festivals and family rituals. New Year toys symbolized hopes for boys' future strength and vitality—arrows for precision and bravery—while evoking nostalgic play amid seasonal celebrations. The meticulous woodblock technique, with layered ink and color on paper, highlights Shunman's skill in rendering textures, from feathered arrows to glossy toys. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department from the H. O. Havemeyer Collection, this print offers a window into Japan's playful cultural heritage, blending artistry with everyday festivity.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820