Picture Book of the Wisteria Trousers (Ehon fujibakama) - Yanagawa Shigenobu

A refined woodblock print from the Ehon fujibakama by Yanagawa Shigenobu, featuring traditional Japanese architecture and figures rendered with precise linework.

This woodblock print originates from the Ehon fujibakama, or Picture Book of the Wisteria Trousers, a work by the Japanese artist Yanagawa Shigenobu. Shigenobu was a student and son-in-law of the famous Katsushika Hokusai, and his work reflects the technical precision associated with the Hokusai school. The print displays a scene typical of the Edo period, featuring figures within a traditional architectural setting. The composition uses the classic Japanese technique of cloud-like borders to frame the narrative, separating the two distinct spaces while maintaining a sense of continuity across the page spread.

The architectural elements, including the wooden verandas and slatted screens, are rendered with fine, controlled lines. The figures are depicted in period attire, with the subtle use of colour on the garments providing a focal point against the otherwise monochromatic, ink-based design. The surrounding environment, suggested by soft, undulating lines representing the terrain and vegetation, creates a sense of depth without relying on Western perspective. This print is an example of the ehon, or picture book, format which was popular during the nineteenth century for disseminating literature and visual narratives to a wider audience. The balance between the negative space and the detailed linework demonstrates the aesthetic priorities of the period, where clarity and elegance were achieved through economy of form. This museum-grade print captures the original texture and ink quality of the woodblock process, preserving the historical character of the source material for contemporary display.