Untitled (Child with Large Hat and Plum Branch) - Isoda Koryūsai

A delicate woodblock print by Isoda Koryūsai featuring a child with a large hat and a flowering plum branch.

This woodblock print by Isoda Koryūsai depicts a young child seated on the floor, holding a large, circular hat above their head. Beside the figure sits a slender vase containing a flowering plum branch. The child wears a garment decorated with a rabbit motif, rendered in soft, muted tones that are characteristic of the artist's palette during this period. Koryūsai, a former samurai who became a prolific printmaker, is recognised for his contributions to the development of the hashira-e (pillar print) format and his refined depictions of figures.

The composition is balanced, with the circular form of the hat echoing the rounded shape of the vase. The background is minimal, featuring only stylized clouds at the top, which directs the viewer's attention to the central figure and the delicate floral arrangement. The lines are precise and controlled, typical of the mid-Edo period printmaking tradition. The use of colour is restrained, relying on earthy ochres, soft oranges, and subtle greys to create a sense of quietude.

Koryūsai was active during a time when Ukiyo-e was shifting towards more sophisticated colour printing techniques. His work often captures domestic scenes or figures in moments of gentle activity. This print demonstrates his ability to combine decorative elements, such as the patterned fabric of the child's clothing, with a clear, uncluttered narrative. The inclusion of the rabbit, a symbol often associated with the moon in Japanese folklore, adds a layer of cultural nuance to the scene. This piece is a fine example of the aesthetic sensibilities prevalent in eighteenth-century Japanese print culture, where the interplay between human subjects and natural motifs was a common theme.