Yokohama-e - Yokohama-e are prints depicting foreigners in Yokohama after Japan was opened to trade with the West the 1850s. Previously, Japan had been closed to international trade with only a few strict exceptions, leading to curiosity among the Japanese about the new foreign arrivals and their strange clothing and customs. Many Yokohama-e designs featured people from the "Five Nations," the five countries that signed trade treaties with Japan in 1858: America, England, the Netherlands, Russia, and France. Others were fanciful depictions of foreign cities, often based on Western illustrations rather than direct observation. These prints proved popular, with hundreds of Yokohama-e published between 1859 and about 1880. These wonderful images provide a great look at this historic time period, using the traditional art form of Japanese woodblock prints to record a new subject.

Comments - Terrific triptych depicting a party inside a foreigners' residence in Yokohama. In the center, a young girl dances, accompanied by a violin and cello played by two seated women at left. Other children await their turns to perform at right. In another room behind the group, men and women sit at separate tabled loaded with food and drink. An ornate chandelier hangs in the center of the home, with a clock on the wall at right, and mirrors hanging on the wall of a distant room at upper right. A fascinating image of Westerners in Yokohama, with a wonderfully detailed setting, also in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Artist - Yoshikazu (active circa 1850 - 1870)

Image Size - 13 5/8" x 27 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Slight paper remnants on reverse at top corners from previous mounting. Vertical centerfold in each panel. A few wormholes and small holes, a couple small losses at corners, repaired. Soiling, creasing, a few stains. Please see photos for details.