『和国百女』|One Hundred Women of Japan (Wakoku hyakujo)

Art Historical Context

Hishikawa Moronobu1618–1694), often hailed as the first great master of ukiyo—the "pictures of the floating world"—created *One Hundred Women of Japan (Wakoku hyakujo) around 1695. This wood-printed book, rendered in ink on paper, captures the vibrant everyday lives of Japanese women during the Edo period (161–1868), a time of relative peace and cultural flourishing under the Tokugawa shogunate. Measuring a compact 10⅝ × 7¼ inches, it exemplifies the ehon (picture book) format, where intricate woodblock techniques allowed for mass production of affordable, colorful depictions of urban life. The book illustrates 100 women engaged in diverse activities, from washing clothes to working looms and other labors, offering a rare, celebratory glimpse into female roles in society. Moronobu's dynamic compositions, with flowing lines and expressive figures, popularized the ukiyo-e style, blending realism with elegance to highlight beauty in the ordinary. These images not only entertained but also reflected the growing merchant class's fascination with daily pursuits. As a Rogers Fund acquisition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this work underscores Moronobu's pivotal role in transforming woodblock printing into a democratic art form, influencing generations of artists like those in the later ukiyo-e golden age. Visitors will appreciate its intimate portrayal of resilience and grace amid routine toil.

About the Artist

Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣 (Japanese) · 1618 –1694

Japanese, 1618–1694