絵本常盤草　上・中・下|Picture Book of the Evergreens (Ehon tokiwagusa) 繪本常盤草

Art Historical Context

Created in 1731 during Japan’s Edo period, *Picture Book of the Evergreens* (*Ehon tokiwagusa*) is a three-volume woodblock-printed book by Nishikawa Sukenobu. This Kyoto-based artist was renowned for his graceful depictions of women, and the work exemplifies the growing popularity of illustrated books that brought elegant imagery into households. The volumes, measuring roughly 10¾ by 7½ inches, combine crisp black ink lines with delicate hand-applied color, a technique that allowed each copy to retain a unique, painterly quality. Sukenobu’s designs reflect the refined tastes of the time, focusing on female figures in graceful poses and settings. As an *ehon* (picture book), the work played an important role in disseminating artistic styles beyond elite circles, making refined imagery accessible to a wider audience of readers and collectors. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection highlights the enduring appeal of these early printed books as both literature and art. The hand-coloring over woodblock printing demonstrates the transitional beauty between painted manuscripts and fully printed color works that would flourish later in the eighteenth century. Visitors can appreciate how Sukenobu’s sensitive line work and subtle palette capture the quiet elegance of his subjects, offering a window into the cultural values and aesthetic sensibilities of Edo-period Japan.

About the Artist

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

Japanese, 1671–1750