The Bōtan Show 1780 - 1800

"The Bōtan Show" is a woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunchō, a prominent artist of the late Edo period. This print depicts four elegantly dressed women, possibly courtesans, strolling through a garden during the peony season, as indicated by the blossoming peonies in the background. Shunchō's work, characterized by vibrant colors and intricate details, is considered a prime example of the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") style. This artwork, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Shunchō's talent for depicting fashionable figures and conveying the ephemeral beauty of fleeting moments.