Bamboo Pole Vendor c. 1830s

"Bamboo Pole Vendor," created by Yamada Hōgyoku in the 1830s, depicts a street vendor in Edo-period Japan carrying a bundle of bamboo poles on his shoulder. The uchiwa-e print uses delicate lines and subtle washes of color to capture the vendor's stooped posture and the weight of the bamboo. Hōgyoku's attention to detail provides a glimpse into the daily life of a commoner in Edo, highlighting the role of small-scale trade in the bustling city. This print, now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, exemplifies the artistry of the uchiwa-e genre, which specialized in creating images for hand fans.