Edo Period Collection (#47)

JAPAN: FOREIGN VISITORS. Western visitors arrive in the black ships at Yokohama harbor. Woodblock print, 1861

JAPAN: YOKOHAMA, 1861. View of the docks at Yokohama. Woodblock print, 1861, by Ando Hiroshige

JAPAN: YOKOHAMA, 1861. View of the harbor at Yokohama. Woodblock print, 1861, by Ando Hiroshige

JAPAN: PERRY EXPEDITION. Gifts brought to Japan by the American expedition under Commoder Matthew Perry. Color drawing, Japanese, 1854

JAPAN: PERRYs OFFICERS. Officers of the fleet of Matthew Perry. From left: Perrys son, Captain Abbot, interpreters Portman and Williams, Captain Adams, and Commodore Perry

JAPAN: DRY GOODS STORE. Interior of the Echigaya dry goods store, Edo; clerks and customers sit on tatami mats. Woodblock print, early 19th century, by Matsumura Sakube

JAPAN: PERRY EXPEDITION. Two of the ships in Commodore Matthew Perrys expedition to Japan, 1852-1854. The ship at left is the USS Powhatan. Japanese paper screen, 1854, by an unknown artist

JAPAN: KITCHEN, c1775. Woman blowing on a kitchen fire. Woodblock print, late 18th century, by Kitagawa Utamaro

JAPAN: HUNTING, c1850. Beaters chase deer, boars, and rabbits toward samurai hunters. Woodblock print, mid 19th century, by Kitagawa Utamaro

JAPAN: LANDSCAPE, c1600. A Shinto shrine in the middle of rice paddies. Detail of a screen painting, early 17th century, by Hishikawa Masanobu

JAPAN: ACTOR, c1794. Male actor impersonating a woman. Woodblock print, c1794, by Toshusai Sharaku

JAPAN: STREET VENDOR. Street vendor of illustrated books. A book vendor carries her wares to a prospect who is being massaged. Wood block print by Torii Kiyomasu, early 18th century

JAPAN: BOOK VENDOR. A book vendor receives a massage. Woodblock print, early 18th century, by Torii Kiyomasu

JAPAN: DUTCH TRADERS. Dutch traders dining in their settlement on the island of Dejima, Nagasaki Bay, Japan. Scroll painting, Japanese, early 18th century

KYOTO: STREET SCENE, c1600. Japanese scroll painting, early 17th century

JAPAN: PORTUGUESE, c1600. Japanese priests and nobles watch a horse race of visiting Portuguese. Japanese namban screen, early 17th century

JAPAN: PORTUGUESE, c1600. Portuguese landing at a seaside village exchange trade goods (placed onboard a boat for transfer to sailing ship), as Japanese priests greet the visitors

JAPAN: BOSHIN WAR, 1868. Acting independently, Yamaoka Tesshu, vassal of the Shogun, rides from Edo to meet the Emperors forces under Saigo; he successfully proposed the attack on Edo be postponed

JAPAN: TOKUGAWA SOLDIERS. Foreigners watch as soldiers of the Tokugawa Shogunate leave for an unsuccessful attack against forces of the daimyo of Chosu. Woodblock print, 1865, by Chokaro Hoki

JAPAN: MILITARY TRAINING. Soldiers of the Tokugawa Shogunate in feudal regalia shoot a cannon. Woodblock print, tryptich, c1867, by Gountei Teishu

JAPAN: DUTCHMAN, c1750. A Dutchman and his son in Japan. Woodblock print, Japanese, 18th century

JAPAN: AMERICANS, 1861. American mother and father in Japan; man holds a Western watch, which at this time were new to the country and very popular. Woodblock print, Japanese, 1861

JAPAN: DUTCHMAN, c1750. Dutchman holding a telescope. Woodblock print, Japanese, 18th century

JAPAN: AMERICANS, 1861. Woodblock print, Japanese, 1861

JAPAN: YOKOHAMA, c1860. Parade of foreigners in Yokohama. Woodblock print, c1860, by Gountei Teishu

WILL ADAMS (c1575-1620). English navigator and the first Englishman to visit Japan. Adams before the Emperor of Japan. Wood engraving, English, 19th century

JAPAN: RECEPTION, c1860. Reception at the Castle of Shui, Japan. Lithograph, c1860

ENGLISH IN JAPAN, 1867. The reception in Osaka of the British Minister, Sir Harry Smith Parkes, by Hitotsubashi, last Shogun of Japan. Wood engraving from an English newspaper of 1867

JAPANESE BATH, 1856. Public bath at Simoda, Japan: lithograph from Commodore Matthew Perrys official report to Congress of his expedition to Japan published in 1856

JAPAN: SILK WEAVING. Young woman weaving silk. Japanese Chuban print c1770, by Shunsho from The Cultivation of Silkworms, a series of prints

JAPANESE SILKWORM CULTURE. Woodblock print by Hokusai (1760-1849)

JESUIT MARTYRDOM, 1622. Detail of a 17th century painting by a Japanese Jesuit of the Great Martyrdom of 10 September 1622, when 30 Christians were beheaded and 25 burned at the stake

JAPAN: 17th CENTURY HARBOR. Detail from a 17th century Japanese map showing Nagasaki Harbor with Dutch and Chinese ships. Deshima, the foreigners quarter, is prominent in the center

JAPAN: NAGASAKI HARBOR. Foreign Steamships in Nagasaki harbor: Japanese Bai-oban color prints, c1850

JAPAN: BATH. After the bath. Japanese oban print, c1750, by Okumura Masanobu

SINO JAPANESE WAR, 1895. Japanese soldiers, using bamboo as a screen, while attacking Chinese troops who appear to be caught off guard. Japanese woodcut, 1895

JAPAN: SAMURAI. Samurai warrior on his shield, holding the head of one of his victims between his teeth. Woodblock print, Japanese, 19th century

JAPAN: SAMURAI, 1734. Japanese foot soldiers armed with bow and arrow. Woodblock print, Japanese, 1734

PERRYs EXPEDITION TO JAPAN American Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry and his men are entertained in Yokohama, March 1854. Japanese color woodcut, c1875

MATTHEW CALBRAITH PERRY (1794-1858). American naval officer. Japanese woodcut, c1853-54

PERRY IN JAPAN, 1852-54. Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perrys expedition to Japan, 1852-54. Commodore Perry paying his farewell visit to the imperial commissioners at Simoda. Lithograph, American, 1855

PERRYs EXPEDITION TO JAPAN Matthew Calbraith Perry (1794-1858). American naval officer. Commodore Perrys expedition to Japan, 1852-54. Lithograph, American, 1855

MARQUIS ITO HIROBUMI (1841-1909). Japanese statesman. Photograph, c1900

ONO NO KOMACHI (c825-c900). Japanese Waka poet. Japanese scroll painting, early Edo period, attributed to Shokado Shojo (1584-1639)

TOKUGAWA IEYASU (1543-1616). First Tokugawa shogun. Painting, Edo period, at the Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Japan

ARASHI KICHISABURO III. Japanese Kabuki actor. In the role of Sasaki Takatsuna (1160-1214), a Japanese samurai warrior. Woodcut by Hokushu Shunkosai, c1825

IYEYASU TOKUGAWA (1542-1616). Japanese general and statesman; founder of Tokugawa shogunate. Contemporary Japanese woodblock print

LAFCADIO HEARN (1850-1904). American writer, born in Greece of Greek and British parents. Photographed with his wife, Setsuko Koizumi, and their son

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The Edo Period, also known as the Tokugawa period, was a time of great artistic and cultural development in Japan. This era lasted from 1603 to 1868 and was characterized by peace, stability, and isolationism. One of the most iconic images from this period is "The Great Wave" by Katsushika Hokusai. This woodblock print depicts men in boats battling large waves off the shore of Kanagawa, with Mount Fuji towering in the background. It captures both the power and beauty of nature that inspired many artists during this time. Another famous artwork from the a woodblock print by Shuntei Katsukawa depicting two samurai warriors engaged in battle. The intricate details and vibrant colors showcase the skillful craftsmanship that was prevalent during this era. In addition to these warrior-themed prints, there were also delicate works like "Eleven Female Cranes Standing in Dry Reed Bed. " Created using ink and colors on paper, this piece showcases the elegance and grace associated with traditional Japanese art. Religion played an important role during the Edo Period as well. "Nichiren Calming the Storm, " a color print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, depicts a powerful scene where Nichiren, a Buddhist monk, calms a raging storm with his spiritual presence. Not only did visual arts flourish during this time but so did literature. One example is "The Blind Men and The Elephant, " another woodblock print by Hokusai which tells an allegorical story through vivid imagery. The it also saw advancements in trade with foreign countries such as Portugal. A six-fold screen titled "Nanban Six-Fold Screen Depicting Arrival of Portuguese Ship for Trade" portrays scenes of interaction between Japanese locals and Portuguese traders. This period also witnessed everyday life being depicted through art forms like paintings or prints showcasing activities such as sword cleaning or travelers in the snow at Oi.