Ogura Imitation of the One Hundred Poems 1845 - 1846

This is Ogura Imitation of the One Hundred Poems, a woodblock print made by Utagawa Kunisada in Japan in the 19th century. The print shows two figures trudging through a snowy landscape beneath a cartouche containing text and a faint image. Woodblock prints like this were not simply aesthetic objects. They were deeply embedded in the social and cultural life of Edo-period Japan. Kunisada was a leading figure in the Utagawa school, which dominated the commercial print market and shaped popular taste. His works catered to a diverse urban audience, reflecting their interests, values, and aspirations. The print references classical poetry, but it does so in a way that is accessible and engaging for a broader public. To understand this print fully, we can consult a variety of sources: literary texts, historical records, and studies of Japanese popular culture. By situating the artwork within its specific social and institutional context, we can gain a richer appreciation of its meaning and significance. The historian's role is to uncover the complex web of relationships that connect art to the world around it.