New Year Games of Shuttlecock, Battledore, and Hand Ball, from the illustrated book "Picture Book: Flowers of the Four Seasons (Ehon shiki no hana)," vol. 1
New Year, 1801
Medium
Color woodblock print; double-page illustration from book
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
34804
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan, Kitagawa Utamaro captures the joy of New Year's festivities in *New Year Games of Shuttle, Battledore, Hand Ball*. This double-page color woodblock print from volume 1 of the illustrated book *Picture Book: Flowers of the Four SeasonsEhon shiki no hana)*, dated New Year 1801, depicts elegant women and children immersed in traditional games like hanetsuki (shuttlecock and battledore and temochi (handball).amaro, a master ukiyo-e—the "pictures of the floating world" genre—excelled in portraying bijin-ga, or beautiful women, with graceful poise and intricate details that evoke the fleeting pleasures of urban life. Produced through the meticulous woodblock printing process, where separate blocks were carved for each color and layer, this print showcases Utamaro's signature style: luminous hues, flowing kimono patterns, and dynamic compositions that fill the page with energy. As part of an ehon, or "picture book," it reflects the era's growing popularity of affordable, visually stunning books that brought art into everyday homes. Culturally, the scene highlights New Year's rituals in Japan, a time for family bonding and warding off evil spirits through playful games—especially for women, who donned colorful attire. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this work offers a window into 19th-century Japanese society, blending artistry with festive spirit.
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...