View Inside an American Steamship 1861

"View Inside an American Steamship" (1861) by Utagawa Yoshikazu is a vibrant woodblock print depicting the interior of an American steamship, showcasing the diverse activities and interactions within its bustling space. The print highlights the fusion of Western technology and Japanese artistic style, capturing the fascination with the American vessel and its passengers. Yoshikazu skillfully portrays the ship's layout and the figures within, from the upper deck to the lower cabins, capturing the dynamic atmosphere of travel during this era. This ukiyo-e print, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offers a glimpse into the cultural exchange between Japan and the West in the mid-19th century.