Pillow for Women and a Bowl

Art Historical Context

"Pillow for Women and a Bowl" is a delicate woodblock print by Totoya Hokkei, also known as Shibayamadō (1780–1850), a prominent Japanese artist of the ukiyo-e school and pupil of the famed Katsushika Hokusai. Created in the 19th century as part of a surimono album, this intimate work measures just 8 5/16 x 7 1/4 inches and captures everyday objects—a woman's pillow and a bowl—in ink and color on paper. Surimono, meaning "printed things," were luxurious, privately commissioned prints often produced for New Year's celebrations or poetry gatherings, blending artistry with literati culture. Hokkei's mastery shines in the refined woodblock technique, where intricate carving and hand-coloring brought subtle textures and vibrant hues to life. These small-scale prints, prized for their elegance, frequently featured still lifes or symbolic motifs, evoking the transient beauty of daily life in Edo-period Japan (1603–1868). The focus on humble items like a pillow and bowl highlights ukiyo-e's celebration of the ordinary amid fleeting pleasures. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department from the H. O. Havemeyer Collection, this piece exemplifies Japan's printmaking tradition, bridging art and social custom. Visitors will appreciate its poetic simplicity, a window into 19th-century Japanese aesthetics.

About the Artist

Totoya Hokkei|Shibayamadō · 1780–1850

Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...