Screen of Calligraphy and New Year Decoration

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Asian Art galleries, where we encounter the delicate artistry of *Screen of Calligraphy and New Year Decoration* by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, a masterful woodblock print from Japan's Edo period (1615–1868). Created in the 19th century this intimate surimono—measuring just 5 1/8 x 7 inches—captures a folding screen adorned with elegant calligraphy and festive New Year motifs. Surimono were luxurious, privately commissioned prints, often exchanged as seasonal greetings among poets, artists, and patrons, showcasing the refined tastes of urban elites in Edo (modern Tokyo). Shinsai, a prominent ukiyo-e artist known for his poetic and decorative style, elevates the genre here with vibrant inks and colors on paper. The medium's significance lies in its innovative techniques: subtle gradations, metallic pigments like mica for a shimmering effect, and precise embossing to mimic textiles and screens. New Year decorations symbolized renewal and prosperity, with calligraphy often featuring auspicious poems (kyōka), blending visual splendor and literary wit. This gem from the H. O. Havemeyer Collection invites us to appreciate how everyday rituals became high art, bridging Japan's vibrant print culture with personal celebration. A true pocket-sized treasure!

About the Artist

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai · 1799–1823

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai (柳々居辰斎), active from 1799 to 1823, was a prominent Japanese ukiyo-e printmaker based in Edo (modern Tokyo), renowned for his mastery of surimono—luxurious, privately commissioned woodblock prints produced for elite poetry circles and New Year's celebrations. He began his training under Tawaraya Sōri before becoming a student of the legendary Katsushika Hokusai, from whom he recei...