Ushi no Koku|青楼十二時　続　丑の刻|The Hour of the Ox (1 A.M.–3 A.M.)

Art Historical Context

Kitagawa Utamaro’s *The Hour of the Ox* (ca. 1794) captures a quiet moment in the pleasure quarters of Edo-period Japan. Created as part the series *Seirō Jūni Toki Tsuzuki* (“The Twelve Hours of the Green Houses”), the print portrays a courtesan during the eerie 1–3 a.m. interval traditionally associated with supernatural encounters. Utamaro, celebrated for his sensitive depictions of women, transforms this nocturnal scene into an intimate glimpse of daily life within the Yoshiwara district. As a woodblock print in ink and color on paper, the work exemplifies ukiyo-e’s ability to reach wide audiences through reproducible yet refined imagery. The tall, narrow format—typical of *hashira-e* or pillar prints—emphasizes graceful figures and delicate patterns, highlighting Utamaro’s mastery of line and subtle color gradations. Produced during the height of his career, such prints helped shape idealized visions of feminine beauty that influenced both Japanese and later Western art. Today in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection, *The Hour of the Ox* offers visitors a window into Edo’s vibrant urban culture, where fleeting pleasures and artistic innovation flourished side by side.

About the Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro · 1753–1806

Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753-1806) was one of the most celebrated masters of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, revolutionizing the art of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) during Japan's Edo period. Born Kitagawa Ichitaro, his early life remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting accounts placing his birth in Kyoto, Osaka, Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo), or Kawagoe in Musashi Province. Under the t...