A lacquered washbasin and ewer 

This print of a lacquered washbasin and ewer was made by Katsushika Hokusai, a master printmaker of the Edo period in Japan. The objects depicted here are not simply functional items, but rather cultural signifiers. The bonsai, the landscape-painted basin, and the pristine towel all speak to a refined aesthetic sensibility cultivated by the upper classes of the time. During the Edo period, Japan was a highly stratified society, with strict codes dictating social behavior and material culture. Hokusai, though working within the commercial art world, often challenged these norms through his depictions of everyday life and popular culture. Although this print depicts the accoutrements of wealth, Hokusai’s own artistic output complicates the very idea of ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture. To fully understand the historical context, researchers can consult a range of resources, from social histories of the Edo period to catalogues of Hokusai’s prints and illustrated books. Ultimately, the meaning of this artwork is contingent upon its complex social and institutional context.