The Introduction (Miai), the first sheet from the series "Marriage in Brocade Prints, the Carriage of the Virtuous Woman (Konrei nishiki misao-guruma)"

Art Historical Context

Suzuki Harunobu's *The Introduction (Miai)*, created around 1769, captivatingly captures a pivotal moment in traditional Japanese marriage customs: the formal first meeting between a prospective bride groom, known as *miai*. As the opening sheet from the series *Marriage in Brocade, the Carriage of the Virtuous Woman (Konrei nishikiao-guruma)*, this color woodblock print depicts elegant figures in a domestic setting, adorned in luxurious kimonos that highlight the social rituals of Edo-period (1603–1868) Japan. Rendered in the chuban yoko-e format—a compact horizontal half-sheet measuring 20.1 × 28 cm—this intimate scene invites viewers into the refined world of arranged unions among the merchant class. Harunobu, a master of ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world"), revolutionized woodblock printing by pioneering full-color *nishiki-e* (brocade prints) in the 1760s, using multiple woodblocks inked with vibrant pigments for unprecedented depth and realism. His bijin-ga style—portrayals of beautiful women—infuses this work with poetic grace, emphasizing feminine virtue and harmony. The series educates on Confucian-influenced marriage rites, from introductions to processions, reflecting societal values of duty and prosperity. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this print exemplifies Harunobu's enduring legacy, blending artistry with cultural insight for audiences today.

About the Artist

Suzuki Harunobu · 1725–1770

Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1725-1770) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who revolutionized woodblock printing by developing nishiki-e—full-color prints using multiple woodblocks—in 1765. Before Harunobu, Japanese prints were limited to two or three colors; his innovation unleashed the entire artist's palette, transforming ukiyo-e into the vibrant art form that would later captivate Western artists from Manet...