Lion and Peonies
c. 1720/25
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, urushi-e
Dimensions
33.8 × 15.7 cm (13 5/16 × 6 3/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
88876
Art Historical Context
**Lion and Peonies** by Okumura Masobu, created around 1720–25, exemplifies the vibrant early ukiyo-e of Edo-period Japan. Masanobu, a pioneeringmaker active in Tokyo (then Edo), captured the "floating world" of fleeting pleasures through dynamic compositions. This hand-colored woodblock print in the narrow *hosoban* format (.8 × 15.7 cm) showcases a majestic lion amid lush peonies, blending ferocity with floral splendor—a classic motif symbolizing power and prosperity in Japanese culture. The *urushi-e* technique, meaning "lacquer print," is a highlight: Masanobu applied a glossy, lacquer-li...
About the Artist
Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764
Japanese, 1686–1764