Still Life of Wine Kettle and Cup on Stand

Art Historical Context

This exquisite woodblock print, *Still Life of Wine Kettle Cup on Stand*, was created by Kubo Shun in 1795—the Year of the Rabbit—during Japan's Edo period (16151868). Shunman, a versatile ukiyo-e artist and poet, crafted this intimate surimono, a type of deluxe, privately commissioned print often produced for New Year's greetings or poetry gatherings. Measuring just 4 x 5 3/4 inches, its compact size and refined details invite close contemplation, evoking the refined tastes of urban elites in Edo (modern Tokyo). Surimono like this one stand out for their luxurious techniques: vibrant inks, subtle color gradations, and sometimes mica or embossing for a shimmering effect (though not specified here). Still lifes were rare in ukiyo-e, which favored fleeting beauties like actors and courtesans, making Shunman's focus on everyday objects—a wine kettle and cup—a fresh meditation on transience and hospitality. The metallic gleam of the kettle and elegant stand highlight masterful shading and composition, blending functionality with poetic elegance. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this print captures Edo Japan's cultural flourishing, where art intertwined with literature and seasonal rituals. Visitors might ponder how such humble items symbolized social bonds and quiet joys amid the era's prosperity.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820