The Actor Sanogawa Mangiku as a woman walking in the snow c. 1742

This woodblock print, created by Okumura Toshinobu around 1742, depicts the actor Sanogawa Mangiku as a woman walking in the snow. The print is part of the ukiyo-e genre, which emerged in Edo-period Japan and captured the fleeting beauty of everyday life. The intricate details of Mangiku's clothing and the delicate rendering of the snow and flowering plum branch showcase Toshinobu's mastery of the medium. The artist's short career (1717-1750) makes this print a rare and important example of his work. The print is currently housed at The Art Institute of Chicago.