Plum blossoms and poet, from an untitled hexaptych depicting a pair of folding screens

Art Historical Context

This delicate color woodblock print by Ryuryukyo Shinsai, created around 1825, captures the refined elegance of early nineteenth-century Japanese art. Titled *Plum blossoms poet*, it forms one sheet of a shikishiban hexaptych—a six-part composition meant to evoke a pair of folding screens. The square format and luxurious printing technique identify it as a surimono, a privately commissioned print often exchanged among poetry circles during the New Year or special occasions. Surimono such as this one highlight the sophisticated collaboration between artists, poets, and skilled printers in Edo-period Japan. The medium allowed for intricate details, subtle color gradations, and sometimes embossed textures that elevated the work beyond ordinary commercial prints. Here, the theme of plum blossoms—symbols of resilience and the arrival of spring—pairs naturally with a solitary poet, suggesting themes of contemplation and seasonal renewal that resonated deeply within literary circles. Measuring just over eight inches square, the print demonstrates how small-scale works could convey expansive cultural ideas. As part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of Asia collection, it offers visitors a glimpse into the intimate, poetic world of surimono production and the enduring appeal of nature-inspired imagery in Japanese visual tradition.