The Fifth Month 1738 - 1758

This print, The Fifth Month, was made by Ishikawa Toyonobu in Japan using woodblock printing techniques. We see a young man standing beside a display of traditional armor inside of a home. The work evokes Tango no Sekku, or Boy's Day, celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month. Originally a holiday for samurai families to display military regalia, over time it was expanded to include all families and celebrate boys’ strength and success. Displaying armor, like the one here, was meant to encourage the young boy to be brave and strong like a samurai. As a social historian, I am interested in how institutions and social practices shape the production and reception of art. For example, in Japan, the rise of the merchant class created a demand for art that reflected their interests and values. Woodblock prints like this one were a popular and affordable form of art that allowed merchants to participate in the cultural life of the city. To understand the cultural meanings of this print, one might research the history of Boy's Day and the role of the samurai class in Japanese society.