Viewing Cherry Blossoms at Goten Hill c. 1787

"Viewing Cherry Blossoms at Goten Hill" is a woodblock print from the late 18th century by the renowned Japanese artist Chōbunsai Eishi. The work depicts three elegantly dressed figures amidst a blooming cherry blossom tree overlooking a tranquil river. It’s a charming example of ukiyo-e (“pictures of the floating world”), a genre that captured the fleeting beauty of everyday life in Edo-period Japan. The artist's intricate details, including the women's exquisite kimono and the delicate branches of the cherry blossom tree, contribute to the work's captivating visual appeal. This print, currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Eishi’s mastery of the ukiyo-e style and his keen observation of the natural world.