絵本小倉山|Picture Book of Ogura Hill (Ehon ogurayama) 絵本小倉山

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with *Picture Book of Ogura Hill (Ehon Ogurayama)*, a masterful 1749 creation by Nishikawa Suken, a leading ukiyo-e artist for his elegant depictions of women (bijin-ga). This enchanting set of three woodblock books, bound as one, illustrates the famed *Ogura Hyakunin Isshu*—a classic anthology of 100 waka poems by Japan's greatest poets, compiled in the 13th century on Kyoto's scenic Ogura Hill. Each pairs with Sukenobu's delicate, evocative images, blending poetry and visual storytelling in a format known as ehon, or "picture books," which were prized by literati and collectors alike. Printed in ink on paper using intricate woodblock techniques, the book's modest dimensions (each about 9 × 6½ inches) belie its cultural depth. Woodblock printing allowed for affordable mass production, democratizing art during the prosperous Edo era (1615–1868), when urban culture flourished amid peace and commerce. Sukenobu's refined lines and subtle colors capture graceful figures in kimono, evoking the "floating world" of fleeting pleasures and poetic emotion. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013, this volume highlights Japan's fusion of literature and visual arts, offering a window into 18th-century aesthetics where beauty, nature, and verse intertwined. A true gem for poetry lovers and art enthusiasts!

About the Artist

Nishikawa Sukenobu 西川祐信 (Japanese) · 1671 –1750

Japanese, 1671–1750