Shikioriori: Living Through the Seasons in Edo Japan

Japanese woodblock print of people near a river

Ando Hiroshige, Japanese (1797—1858), Kasumigaseki no zu [View of Kasumigaseki], 1854, from the series “Tōtō meisho” [Famous Views of the Eastern Capital], woodcut, gift of Helen Baker Jones, in memory of her father, James H. Baker, former President of CU (1892-1914), 67.333.17

Japanese woodblock print depicting cherry blossoms under the moonlight

Ando Hiroshige, Japanese (1797—1858), Shin Yoshiwara Naka-no-chō yozakura [Cherry Blossoms at Night on Naka-no-chō in the New Yoshiwara] 1840-1842, from the series “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital” (Tōto meisho), woodcut, gift of Helen Baker Jones, in memory of her father, James H. Baker, former President of CU (1892-1914), 67.333.23

Shikioriori: Living Through the Seasons in Edo Japan

On view February 12 - June 28, 2016

During the Edo period (1603–1868), the rhythm of the year included activities and events tied to the changing seasons. The Japanese expression shikioriori, or “season by season,” describes these delicate changes in nature. This installation juxtaposes ukiyo-e prints—literally “Pictures of the Floating World”— alongside selections from popular literature and comic poetry (԰ū), to show how people lived day to day, and season by season.

Curated by Leah Justin-Jinich, masterscandidate, department of Asian languages and civilizations