No. 6, from the series Silkworm Cultivation (Kaiko yashinai gusa) - Katsukawa Shunshō

A detailed woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunshō depicting women engaged in the traditional Japanese industry of silkworm cultivation.

This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunshō belongs to the series Kaiko yashinai gusa, or Silkworm Cultivation. The work depicts the domestic and agricultural labour involved in sericulture, a process of great economic importance in Edo-period Japan. Three women are shown tending to silkworms, which are arranged in shallow wooden trays. The composition focuses on the methodical nature of the task: one woman transfers cocoons from a basket, another manages a tray, and a third carries a container.

Shunshō, a master of the Katsukawa school, is known for his realistic portrayals of actors and contemporary life. In this series, he applies his observational skill to the rural industry of silk production. The figures wear simple, practical kimono, their heads covered with cloths to maintain hygiene and focus. The background features tiered shelving, which provides a sense of the scale of the operation. The lines are clean and precise, characteristic of the ukiyo-e style, while the colour palette remains restrained, relying on soft greens, muted oranges, and earthy tones.

Text in the upper portion of the print provides instructional context regarding the care of the silkworms, blending visual art with practical documentation. This print offers a glimpse into the daily lives of workers during the late eighteenth century. It avoids the theatricality often found in Shunshō's actor prints, opting instead for a quiet, documentary approach to a common trade. The print demonstrates the technical proficiency of the woodblock medium, with clear registration of colours and delicate linework defining the figures and their environment. It remains a valuable record of historical agricultural practices in Japan.