Three Young Women Strolling on the Bank of the Sumida River

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Torii Kiyon's *Three Young Women Strolling on Bank of the Sumida* captures the essence ofkiyo-e, the "pictures of the floating world that celebrated everyday pleasures and urban life. This woodblock print rendered in ink and color on paper, showcases Kiyonaga's mastery of bijin-ga—images of elegant women. Measuring about 15 by 10 inches, it three graceful figures promenading along the famed Sumida River in Edo (modern Tokyo), their kimonos flowing and fans in hand, evoking a serene moment of leisure amid the bustling city. Kiyonaga, a leading figure in the Torii school of ukiyo-e artists, excelled in dynamic compositions and subtle color gradations achieved through intricate woodblock carving and printing techniques. These multicolored nishiki-e prints, often produced in series, democratized art by making it affordable to the merchant class, reflecting the era's growing fascination with fashion, beauty, and nature. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's H. O. Havemeyer Collection, this work highlights Japan's rich printmaking tradition and the cultural allure of poised femininity. Visitors will appreciate how it freezes a fleeting riverside stroll, inviting us to imagine the whispers of silk and the river's gentle flow.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyonaga · 1752–1815

Torii Kiyonaga, born Sekiguchi Shinsuke in 1752 in Uraga, Sagami Province, was the son of an Edo bookseller who owned tenements near a bustling fish market. At age 14 in 1765, he began his apprenticeship under Torii Kiyomitsu, the third-generation head of the prestigious Torii school of ukiyo-e, renowned for kabuki theater illustrations and signage. Adopted into the Torii family, Kiyonaga succeede...