Illustrated Book of Kyōka: Maple Bridge - Katsukawa Shunchō

A refined woodblock print from the 1786 book Ehon momiji bashi, depicting women in a domestic setting with the characteristic grace of the Ukiyo-e style.

This woodblock print originates from the illustrated book titled Ehon momiji bashi, or Maple Bridge, published around 1786. Katsukawa Shunchō, a student of the Katsukawa school, produced this work during the mid-Edo period. The scene depicts a domestic interior, capturing women in quiet, daily activities. Two figures on the left attend to a basin, while two others on the right stand and sit near a paper screen and a standing lamp. The composition relies on the clean, precise lines characteristic of the period, focusing on the graceful posture of the figures and the subtle patterns of their kimono.

Shunchō was known for his depictions of bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women, often influenced by the style of Torii Kiyonaga. His work here demonstrates a balance between the figures and the architectural elements of the room. The use of negative space allows the viewer to focus on the interaction between the subjects and their immediate environment. The print serves as a record of the aesthetic preferences of the time, from the choice of domestic objects to the styling of the hair and garments. As a page from an ehon, or picture book, the image functions as both a narrative element and a standalone study of form. The lack of colour highlights the draughtsmanship, allowing the viewer to appreciate the weight and flow of the lines used to define the folds of the fabric and the expressions of the women. This print offers a glimpse into the refined world of the late eighteenth-century Japanese urban class, where literature and visual art were closely linked through the medium of the printed book.