View of the Shinmei Shrine at Shiba in Edo c. 1820s

Utagawa Kunimaru made this woodblock print, “View of the Shinmei Shrine at Shiba in Edo,” sometime in the early 19th century. Woodblock prints like this one, known as ukiyo-e or “pictures of the floating world,” gained popularity during the Edo period in Japan. They reflect a culture shaped by the rise of a merchant class and growing urban centers like Edo, now Tokyo. This image presents a bustling scene at the Shinmei Shrine, a Shinto place of worship. The large torii gate dominates the composition, framing the entrance to the shrine and the throngs of people visiting. Kunimaru’s print offers a glimpse into the social life of Edo, capturing the everyday activities and fashions of its residents. But it also reflects the institutional landscape of the time, with religious sites like the Shinmei Shrine playing a central role in community life. By studying prints like these, along with other historical sources, we can learn about the complex interplay between art, society, and belief in 19th-century Japan.