‘Visiting Edo Castle on New Years Day’ Original Woodblock by Toyohara Chikanobu – Ca 1897

This old Japanese woodblock triptych is by Meiji era woodblock print artist Toyohara Chikanobu (1838 – 1912). This woodblock is entitled 正月元日諸侯登城御玄関前之図 (Feudal Lords Visiting Edo Castle on New Years Day).

It was forbidden to publish images of the ruling Tokugawa family or any events they partook in during the Edo period. However, with the Meiji restoration laws were relaxed, and with this various woodblock artists created woodblock prints documenting these events. 

Woodblock prints like these capture historic moments that were otherwise lost and hold both an artistic value & an anthropological one showing the relationships between Japan, Korea & China. 

The full triptych was originally published in 1897 by Fukuda Hatsujiro and is part of a larger collection of works named Chiyoda no On-omote (The Outer Palace of Chiyoda 千代田之御表). It is signed Yoshu Chikanobu. 

This old woodblock print is framed in a simple matte black frame. The full triptych can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

For further reading, see ‘Chikanobu: Modernity and Nostalgia in Japanese Prints’ by Bruce Coats. 

Print Size: 72 x 34.5 (wxh cms)

From Japan

UK Delivery Charge – except Highlands & Islands £15
More delivery options available at checkout