Monkey Dance - Isoda Koryūsai

A refined Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Isoda Koryūsai depicting a street performer and his audience within a traditional Japanese interior.

This woodblock print by Isoda Koryūsai, a prominent figure in the Ukiyo-e tradition, depicts a domestic scene involving a street performer and his audience. The composition is divided by the architectural elements of a traditional Japanese interior, with sliding screens and tatami mat flooring providing a structured environment for the figures. A man, likely a monkey trainer, sits before a small wooden box, his hand poised as if manipulating the mechanism for a performance. Opposite him, a woman holds a small hand drum, her posture attentive and focused on the interaction. A second woman stands in the doorway, observing the scene with a subtle expression.

Koryūsai, who was a samurai before becoming a professional artist, is known for his technical precision and his contributions to the development of the hashira-e, or pillar print, format. In this work, the artist employs a balanced colour palette, using muted tones that reflect the natural pigments available during the Edo period. The lines are clean and deliberate, defining the folds of the kimono and the architectural details of the room without unnecessary ornamentation. The print belongs to a series titled 'Furyū Hito-rin Jūnisō' (Twelve Aspects of Fashionable People), which often explored the daily lives and social customs of the urban population in Edo. The inclusion of a sword placed on the floor near the woman suggests the presence of a samurai or a person of status, adding a layer of social context to the performance. The work captures a quiet, observational moment, typical of the genre scenes that defined the Ukiyo-e movement, focusing on the interplay between the performers and their audience within the confines of a private space.