Lacquer Bowl for New Year Food 19th century

This is Ryūryūkyo Shinsai’s ‘Lacquer Bowl for New Year Food’, made in Japan sometime between 1799 and 1823. It is a woodblock print on paper. Shinsai lived and worked in the late Edo period, a time of strict social hierarchy and relative peace, but also increasing economic disparity. This print offers us a glimpse into the cultural traditions surrounding New Year celebrations, reflecting the importance of food and ritual in Japanese society. The print depicts a lacquer bowl, likely containing a special New Year dish called osechi, a collection of symbolic foods prepared to bring luck and prosperity in the coming year. New Year's in Japan is a time of reflection on the past year and hope for the future. The lacquer bowl itself is a symbol of refinement and status, representing a blend of functionality and artistry. Consider the time and care it must have taken to create the bowl. Shinsai's print invites us to reflect on the ways we celebrate and carry forward our own traditions, connecting us to both the collective and personal dimensions of cultural identity.