Views of Foreigners (Gaikokujin no zu) 1861

This woodblock print, titled "Views of Foreigners (Gaikokujin no zu)," by Utagawa Yoshitomi, depicts a European man and woman riding on horseback. The print was created in 1861, at a time when Japan was beginning to open up to the West after a long period of isolation. Yoshitomi, who was active from 1836 to 1870, was known for his depictions of foreigners, which often satirized their appearance and customs. This print reflects the fascination and curiosity that the Japanese people had for the West, as well as the anxieties and concerns that some felt about the changing times. The print is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.