Hour of the Hare [6am] (U no koku), from the series “The Twelve Hours in Yoshiwara” ("Seiro juni toki tsuzuki")

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of-period Japan with *Hour of the Hare [6] (U no koku)*, a stunning color woodblock print by master ukiyo-e artist Kit Utamaro, created around 1794. Part of the celebrated series *The Twelve Hours in Yoshiwara* (*Seiro juni toki tsuzuki*), thisan-sized work (37.5 × 24.4 cm) captures a specific moment in the famed Yoshiwara pleasure district of Edo (modern Tokyo)—Japan's licensed quarter for courtesans, teahouses, and nighttime revelry. Utamaro, renowned for his bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), immortalized the "floating world" of urban pleasures through exquisitely detailed portraits. This print depicts the Hour of the Hare, traditionally 5–7 a.m., offering a glimpse into the district's early morning rhythm as the night fades. Utamaro's genius shines in his innovative use of woodblock printing techniques: intricate carving for fine lines, layered colors from multiple blocks, and subtle gradations (mizu-e) that evoke soft dawn light. Printed on a large oban format, it allowed for expansive compositions that drew viewers into intimate scenes of daily life. Held in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece exemplifies ukiyo-e's cultural pinnacle, blending sensuality with social commentary on 18th-century Japan's hedonistic underbelly. A testament to Utamaro's enduring legacy, it invites us to ponder the fleeting beauty of the moment.

About the Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro · 1753–1806

Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753-1806) was one of the most celebrated masters of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, revolutionizing the art of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) during Japan's Edo period. Born Kitagawa Ichitaro, his early life remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting accounts placing his birth in Kyoto, Osaka, Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo), or Kawagoe in Musashi Province. Under the t...