English officer and soldiers 1861

This woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshikazu, titled “English officer and soldiers,” depicts a British officer and his two soldiers. Created in 1861, the print exemplifies the “Yokohama-e” genre, which emerged in response to the arrival of Westerners in Japan in the 19th century. Yoshikazu uses bold lines and vivid colors to capture the foreign uniforms and figures, showcasing the Western influence on Japanese art and society during a period of rapid change. The print, now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a glimpse into the cultural fascination and curiosity surrounding the West in Japan.