House cleaning in preparation for the New Year
c. 1797/99
Medium
Color woodblock print; three left sheets of oban pentaptych
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
21800
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan, Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) captures a slice of everyday ritual in *House Cleaning in Preparation for the New* (c. 1797–99). This color woodblock print, featuring three left sheets of anan pentaptych—a, multi-panel format popular for immersive scenes—depicts women diligently sweeping and tidying a home. Utamaro, a master of uki-e ("pictures of the floating world"), was renowned for his bijin-ga portraits of elegant women, rendered with graceful lines and subtle emotional depth. The artwork reflects the cultural fervor of Oshōgatsu, Japan's New Year, when households underwent thorough ōsōji (big cleaning) to purify spaces for good fortune and renewal. This domestic tableau highlights the beauty in mundane labor, a hallmark of ukiyo-e's focus on transient pleasures and daily life amid urban prosperity. Utamaro's innovative techniques shine here: delicate woodblock carving allowed for rich colors and textures, from the women's flowing kimonos to the dust motes in the air. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this print exemplifies how ukiyo-e bridged art and popular culture, influencing global aesthetics like Impressionism. A charming window into 18th-century Japanese traditions!
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...