(Pushing boat in marsh) c. 19th century

This 19th-century uchiwa-e print by Japanese artist Onishi Chinnen depicts a lone figure pushing a boat through a marsh. The image, in shades of black and white, highlights the figure’s action as he pushes the boat with one hand, and the surrounding vegetation, rendered in a series of delicate lines, adds a sense of tranquility to the scene. The image is a classic example of the uchiwa-e genre, a form of Japanese woodblock print traditionally used for hand fans. The print, now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases Chinnen’s skillful and minimalist style that captures the essence of everyday life in Japan.