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 - Fascinating depiction of a busy street in France with pedestrians sharing the street with a horse-drawn carriage and an intriguing wheeled contraption powered by a steam engine and operated by a lever. At bottom center, a man sits atop a small box next to a yoke which might be more commonly seen in Japan than in France. Palm trees frame with view at left, and the mountains in the distance are softly shaded in gray and blue. A terrific Yokohama-e design.

Artist - Yoshitora (active circa 1840 - 1880)

Image Size - 14" x 28 7/8" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. Slight paper remnants on reverse at edges from previous mounting. Small losses and thinning at edges, repaired. Creasing, wrinkling, slight toning and soiling, slight rubbing at edges, a few stains. Please see photos for details.