窪俊満画 煙草入れ袋と煙管『春雨集』　摺物帖|Pipe and Tobacco PouchFrom the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate charm of *Pipe and Tobacco Pouch* fromThe Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū)*, volume 1, crafted by Kubo Shunman around the 1810s. This intimate woodblock print (surono) captures everyday Japanese life with poetic elegance: a slender kiseru pipe and its tobacco pouch rest gracefully, evoking quiet moments amid the Edo period's bustling urban culture (1615–1868). Shunman, a master of ukiyo-e—the "pictures of the floating world"—infused his works with refined lyricism, often blending his skills as a poet and printmaker. Surimono like this were privately commissioned luxuries, typically for New Year's greetings or poetry gatherings (kyōka circles), printed in small editions on fine paper with vibrant inks, subtle embossing, and mica accents for a shimmering effect. At just 5 9/16 x 7 1/8 inches, its compact scale invites close contemplation, highlighting Shunman's mastery of color gradation (bokashi) and precise carving that brought texture to humble objects. Introduced by Portuguese traders in the 16th century, tobacco became a social staple by the 19th century, with ornate pouches and pipes as fashionable accessories. This print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's H. O. Havemeyer Collection celebrates that cultural fusion, transforming the mundane into art and offering a window into Edo Japan's refined sensibilities.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820