English Woman with Black Man 1861

This woodblock print, *English Woman with Black Man* (1861), by Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833-1904), depicts a European woman in a fashionable dress and a Japanese man in Western attire. The print is a colorful example of *ukiyo-e* (pictures of the floating world) artwork, which often depicted scenes of everyday life in Edo (present-day Tokyo). The *ukiyo-e* style, which was popular during the Edo period (1603-1868), was characterized by bold colors, dynamic compositions, and detailed imagery. This particular print likely reflects the growing interest in Western culture in Japan at the time. The woman's clothing is distinctly European, while the man's attire incorporates both traditional Japanese and Western elements, suggesting a fusion of cultures. This work is a fascinating snapshot of a time of significant change in Japanese society, as the nation opened up to the West after centuries of isolation.