Kitchen Utensils with Greens for the Ceremony on January 7th - Hachifusa Shūri

A delicate woodblock print by Hachifusa Shūri depicting traditional kitchen tools and herbs used for the Nanakusa-no-sekku festival.

This woodblock print by Hachifusa Shūri depicts a collection of kitchen implements arranged upon a wooden cutting board, accompanied by small sprigs of greens. The composition relates to the Nanakusa-no-sekku, a traditional Japanese festival observed on the seventh day of the first month. During this event, it is customary to consume a porridge containing seven varieties of spring herbs to ensure health and longevity throughout the coming year.

The artist employs a restrained aesthetic, typical of surimono prints, which were often commissioned for private circulation among poetry circles. The focus remains on the functional beauty of the objects: a heavy-bladed knife, a large wooden spoon, and a root vegetable. The lines are precise and clean, reflecting the technical mastery required for woodblock carving. The inclusion of calligraphy adds a layer of literary context, connecting the visual elements to the seasonal rituals of the period.

Unlike the more commercial ukiyo-e prints of the era, this work prioritises a quiet, observational quality. The palette is muted, relying on soft earth tones and the natural colour of the paper to ground the subject matter. The arrangement of the tools suggests a moment of preparation, capturing the domestic activity associated with the festival. The print serves as a record of cultural practice, documenting the specific utensils and ingredients used in the preparation of the ceremonial meal. By isolating these items, the artist elevates mundane kitchen tasks into a subject worthy of artistic contemplation, demonstrating the Japanese appreciation for the beauty found in everyday objects and seasonal transitions.