Washing Cloth in a Stream c. 1797

"Washing Cloth in a Stream" is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Toyokuni I, a prominent artist of the Edo period, around 1797. The print depicts five women engaged in the traditional activity of washing clothes in a flowing stream. The detailed portrayal of their actions and expressions, combined with the natural landscape, showcases the beauty of everyday life in Japan during that time. This work exemplifies Toyokuni's skill in capturing the essence of ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese art that often depicted scenes of daily life and entertainment.