A Court-cap on a Stand c. 1799

Katsushika Hokusai made this print, A Court-cap on a Stand, using woodblock printing techniques. Hokusai worked in Ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world," a genre known for its focus on landscapes, beautiful women, and scenes from everyday life. Here, the stark contrast between the black court cap and the pale stand immediately draws the eye. Woodblock printing involves carving a design into a wooden block, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The lines are crisp and clean, indicative of the artist’s skill. The texture of the cap and the stand’s wooden slats are rendered with meticulous detail. But beyond aesthetics, the print offers a glimpse into social context. The court cap, a symbol of status and authority, sits idle on a simple stand. The work invites reflection on power, class, and the transience of worldly possessions. By focusing on the mundane display of a court-cap, Hokusai blurs the line between high art and everyday observation. He prompts us to consider the stories behind objects.