くまにき影|No Shadow in Any Nook or Corner (Kuma naki kage) くまにき影

Art Historical Context

In the waning years of Japan's Edo period (16151868), master artist Shibata Zeshin created *No Shadow in Any Nook or Corner (Kuma naki kage) in 1867. Zeshin, renowned for his innovative lacquerware that mimicked painting and print techniques, bridged traditional crafts with ukiyo-e influences. This woodblock-printed book exemplifies the era's vibrant print culture, where affordable illustrated volumes brought art, poetry, and storytelling to everyday audiences amid rapid social change just before the Meiji Restoration. Crafted with ink and color on paper, the book's delicate 9¾ × 7⅛-inch pages showcase the precision of woodblock printing—a labor-intensive process involving carved cherry wood blocks for each color layer, aligned flawlessly by skilled artisans. Zeshin's designs likely blend his signature realism and whimsy, evoking the title's poetic mystery: a world without shadows, perhaps symbolizing enlightenment, illusion, or playful light play central to Japanese aesthetics. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this illustrated book highlights Edo Japan's fusion of literature and visual arts, making high culture accessible. Visitors will appreciate its intimate scale, inviting close contemplation of Zeshin's enduring legacy in Japanese printmaking.

About the Artist

Shibata Zeshin 柴田是真 (Japanese) · 1807 –1891

Japanese, 1807–1891