Plum Blossoms and Cake-Box 1819

This is "Plum Blossoms and Cake-Box," a Japanese woodblock print made by Yashima Gakutei in the early 19th century. Gakutei was a student of Hokusai, working in the *surimono* style. This was a genre of privately commissioned prints, often used for special occasions like the New Year. Here, the image shows an opened box containing a light green cake, and a branch of white plum blossoms. The plum blossom, or *ume*, is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. Its presence here may signal the ending of winter. In the top left corner, there is calligraphy referring to seeing someone at the gate to offer New Year’s greetings. In Japan, gift-giving is an important cultural practice, reflecting social hierarchies, and maintaining relationships. During New Year celebrations, exchanging gifts, like this cake, emphasizes gratitude, and wishes for good fortune. Yashima Gakutei offers us a glimpse into these intimate social rituals. It is an intimate image of both personal and societal renewal.