Party of falconers near river

Art Historical Context

**Party of Falconers near River** by Utag Toyohiro (c. 1798–1801) captures a lively moment of Edo-period leisure in Japan. This vibrant color woodblock print, featuring the right and center sheets an oban tript (a large-format three-panel composition measuring 36.3 × 48.8 cm overall showcases Toyohiro's mastery within the Utagawa school ukiyo-e—" of the floating world." prints celebrated everyday pleasures amid Japan's urban culture during the late 18th century. Toyohiro, a mentor to the famed Hiroshige, depicts falconers reveling by a serene riverbank, blending human activity with nature. Falconry, a noble sport rooted in samurai traditions, symbolized status and harmony with the wild. The scene's dynamic composition—elegant figures in flowing robes, birds in flight, and misty landscapes—highlights ukiyo-e's focus on transience and beauty. Produced through meticulous woodblock techniques, layers of color were hand-printed from multiple carved blocks, allowing affordable mass production for a wide audience. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this work exemplifies Toyohiro's influence on landscape and genre scenes. Visitors will appreciate its vivid storytelling, inviting a glimpse into Japan's playful past. (198 words)

About the Artist

Utagawa Toyohiro · 1763–1828

Utagawa Toyohiro (1763–1828) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist and painter who founded a major branch of the Utagawa school and is best remembered as the teacher of Utagawa Hiroshige, one of the greatest landscape print designers in Japanese art history. Born in Edo (present-day Tokyo), he studied under Utagawa Toyoharu, the founder of the Utagawa school, who was noted for introducing Western perspect...