Amerikajin 1862

This woodblock print, *Amerikajin*, by Utagawa Yoshikazu depicts a scene of cultural exchange in 19th-century Japan. The image shows a Western man, likely an American, seated across from a Japanese woman. The man is wearing a Western-style outfit, while the woman is in traditional Japanese clothing, showcasing the contrasting styles of the two cultures. Yoshikazu was a prolific printmaker, and this piece reflects his focus on documenting the changing face of Japanese society during the Meiji Restoration. This artwork, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures a pivotal moment in Japanese history as the country opened up to the West.