Young Man Walking Toward the Left on High Geta and Playing the Flute as He Walks

Art Historical Context

In the bustling streets of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Okumura Masobu captures a moment of rhythmic grace in his woodblock print *Young Man Walking Toward the on High Geta and the Flute as Hes* (ca. 1745). This ink and color print on paper, measuring an elongated 28½ x 6¼ inches, exemplifies the ukiyo-e tradition—"pictures of the floating world"— celebrated everyday life, fashion, and entertainment among the urban merchant class. The young man strides confidently to the left, elevated on tall geta wooden clogs that kept feet dry on rainy streets and signaled stylish flair. Multitasking with poise, he plays a flute, evoking the lively sounds of street performers or kabuki enthusiasts. Masanobu, a pioneering printmaker, mastered early color techniques like benizuri-e (pink-printed pictures), blending bold lines and vibrant hues to bring motion and personality to his figures. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund and Rogers Fund, 1949), this print highlights Edo Japan's cultural vibrancy, where music and mobility intertwined in the fleeting pleasures of city life. A delightful glimpse into a harmonious past!

About the Artist

Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764

Japanese, 1686–1764