The Castle of Unuma
19th century
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
14 x 10 in. (35.6 x 25.4 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Cole J. Younger, 1975
Accession Number
JP3434
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created in 19th-century Japan during the Edo period, *The Castle of Unuma* exemplifies the refined woodblock print tradition known as ukiyo-e. Keisai Eisen, a leading artist of this genre, specialized in capturing scenic landscapes and travel views that appealed to a growing audience of urban viewers. Rendered in ink and color on paper, the print employs the meticulous carving and layering techniques characteristic of the medium, allowing for vibrant hues and delicate line work that bring depth to the composition. The scene depicts the historic Castle of Unuma nestled among rolling hills and ...
About the Artist
Keisai Eisen · 1790–1848
Keisai Eisen (1790–1848), born Ikeda Yoshinobu in Edo (modern Tokyo), emerged as one of the late Edo period's most prolific ukiyo-e masters. The son of the renowned calligrapher and Kanō-school painter Ikeda Shigeharu, Eisen was immersed in the arts from childhood. He apprenticed under Kanō Hakkeisai, adopting the art name "Keisai" in homage to his teacher, and later studied bijin-ga (images of be...