Camellia Flower and Yokan (a sort of bean jelly) Wrapped in Bamboo Skin 1811

This woodblock print, titled "Camellia Flower and Yokan (a sort of bean jelly) Wrapped in Bamboo Skin," was created in 1811 by the renowned Japanese artist Ryūryūkyo Shinsai (1799–1823). The print depicts a single camellia flower, its delicate petals rendered in shades of pink and white, blooming against a backdrop of deep green leaves. The flower rests atop a rectangular box wrapped in bamboo skin, suggesting a simple, elegant gift. This work is a quintessential example of ukiyo-e, the Japanese art of woodblock printing, and is a testament to Shinsai’s talent for capturing the beauty of nature in a refined and delicate manner.