Cake Bowl with Yokan (Bean Jelly); Specialities of Yatsuhashiya in Sagacho, Fukagawa 19th century

Here is the woodblock print ‘Cake Bowl with Yokan (Bean Jelly); Specialities of Yatsuhashiya in Sagacho, Fukagawa’ made around the early 19th century by Hokucho Joren. This print offers a glimpse into the rapidly changing urban culture of Edo-period Japan. It's important to recognize how class distinctions shaped culinary experiences. Bean jelly was a popular confection, yet access to such treats would depend on one's economic standing. The print subtly acknowledges these social hierarchies by celebrating a commonplace yet desirable food item. While seemingly a simple still life, the inclusion of text adds another layer. The calligraphy situates the confection within a cultural context, suggesting an elevated status through poetry and calligraphy, historically the domain of the educated elite. Joren plays with tensions between popular culture and traditional arts in the print. The detailed depiction of the cake bowl alongside the written text creates a sense of nostalgia, reflecting a longing for simpler times amidst urbanization.