Large Lacquer Sake Cup Reading "Full House"

Art Historical Context

Kubo Shunman's *Large Lacquer Sake Reading "Full House"*1794) is a delightful woodblock print from Japan's Edo period (16151868), a time when ukiyo-e artists captured the fleeting pleasures of urban life. Created as a *surimono*—a luxurious, privately commissioned print often made for New Year's greetings or celebrations—this intimate work measures just 5 3/8 x 6 1/2 inches, perfect for personal exchange among poetry-loving elites. Shunman, a versatile ukiyo-e master and poet, infused his designs with wit and elegance, blending fine lines with vibrant inks and colors on paper. The title playfully evokes a oversized lacquer sake cup inscribed with "Full House," likely a humorous pun nodding to festive abundance or a winning hand in a game, resonating with the period's love for wordplay and revelry. Surimono like this showcased advanced printing techniques, such as precise color registration and subtle textures, elevating them beyond mass-produced prints. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this piece highlights the refined artistry of Edo Japan's print culture, where everyday objects became portals to joy and ingenuity. (198 words)

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820