Dalliance c. 1685

Sugimura Jihei created this print, Dalliance, using woodblock printing techniques sometime between 1684 and 1700. The composition, rendered in monochrome, depicts two figures in an interior setting, with flat expanses of pattern and stylized natural forms. It presents a study in contrasts. Consider how the shapes define the forms within the image. The precise, controlled lines create a sense of order and restraint. The geometric patterns on the kimonos contrast with the organic shapes of the flowers and foliage. The image plays with depth through the layering of shapes and the use of a high horizon line. The two figures are posed closely, their interaction suggesting a narrative. The patterns and symbols on their garments such as the rabbit and moon, function as signifiers within the cultural context of the Edo period. Ultimately, the print's enduring appeal resides in its formal qualities. The balance between line and space, pattern and form, reflects the dynamic cultural and philosophical environment in which Jihei worked.