Yayoi asukayama hanami

[between 1772 and 1776]

1 print : woodcut, color ; 21.5 x 15.4 cm.

Notes: Title and other descriptive information compiled by Nichibunken-sponsored Edo print specialists in 2005-06. From the series: Jūnikagetsu : Twelve months. Format: vertical Koban Nishikie. Attributed to: Kitao Shigemasa. Restricted access; material extremely fragile; please use online digital image. Print shows three women and a man having a small tea party beneath blossoming cherry trees. Forms part of: Japanese prints and drawings (Library of Congress). Exhibited: "Sakura : Cherry Blossom as Living Symbol of Friendship" in the Graphic Arts Gallery, Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., 2012.

Subjects: Women--Clothing & dress--Japan--1770-1780. Beauty--Japan--1770-1780. Tea parties--Japan--1770-1780. Cherry trees--Japan--1770-1780. Flowers--Japan--1770-1780.

Format: Ukiyo-e--Japanese--Color--1770-1780. Woodcuts--Japanese--Color--1770-1780--Reproductions--1890-1940.

Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.

Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Exhibit caption: Shigemasa's 18th-century hanami (flower viewing) party scene shows three women and a man at Asukayama Park, opened by Japanese Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684-1751) who had its famous cherry trees transplanted there in 1720. Comfortably arranged on a ground cover inside a partial enclosure, they are likely enjoying warmed saké. Such parties continue to be a thriving Japanese pastime, replete with traditional sake and picnic blankets laid out hours in advance at the best sakura viewing spots. Above the image is a haiku poem describing both arboreal and human "blossoms": Murekitaru / Hana mata hana no / Asuka-yama : All flocked together / Blossoms upon blossoms / Asuka Hill

Higher resolution image is available (Persistent URL): hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/jpd.02258