Display of Treasures at Mimeguri Shrine (Mimeguri jinja no onkaichō)
Original title: Display of Treasures at Mimeguri Shrine (Mimeguri jinja no onkaichō)
kurzbeschreibung
Women in patterned kimonos, some holding fans or baskets, gather in a garden landscape before a shrine. Kitagawa Utamaro's 1799 triptych titled 'Treasure Exhibition at Mimeguri Shrine' consists of three woodblock prints in ink and color on paper, presented side by side. The subject links fashion and everyday culture with the atmosphere of a Shinto sanctuary.
Description
Across three separate sheets appear groups of women in kimonos whose patterns and colors vary. Some hold fans or baskets, others kneel or sit—a quiet, everyday situation unfolds. Trees, flowers, and a gate, possibly the shrine's torii, form the setting. The figures are shown in profile, as is typical of ukiyo-e prints. Earth tones dominate the palette, with accents in blue, red, and gold.
Context
Utamaro made this work in the late Edo period, a phase of cultural flourishing in Japan. The festival at Mimeguri Shrine, where religious treasures were shown publicly, was a social event. The artist gained fame with images of women, especially courtesans and beauties. The prints were produced in series and aimed at an urban audience interested in fashion and entertainment.
Impact
The calm arrangement of the figures and the harmonious coloring give the image balance and elegance. Detailed kimonos and precise lines create a fine, ornamental aesthetic. An atmosphere of courtly composure and cultural refinement emanates from the scene.
Technique
For this triptych, each printing block was cut separately and printed with watercolors on paper. Ink and color on paper correspond to the technique of Japanese color woodblock printing in the 18th century. Precise contours and flat areas of color attest to the high craftsmanship of ukiyo-e workshops.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)