Sneeuwbal 1794 - 1798

Utagawa Toyokuni II created this woodblock print, titled “Snowball”, as part of the Ukiyo-e movement, which flourished during the Edo period in Japan. These prints often depicted scenes of daily life, landscapes, and popular figures, particularly those from the entertainment industry. Here, we see a group of women in the snow; one supports a parasol over another who seems to be pregnant, while a third woman reclines against a mound of snow. Ukiyo-e prints provided a means for the merchant class to engage with art and culture, reflecting their growing economic power and social influence. These artworks capture the ephemeral beauty and pleasures of life and served as both records of and aspirations for a society undergoing significant transformation. In this instance, the presence of the pregnant woman seems to signal themes of prosperity and generational continuity. The print offers us a glimpse into the lives and social values of the time, inviting us to reflect on the universal themes of care, continuity, and community amidst the transient beauty of the natural world.