ticketsMember | Make a donation

Foreigners in the Drawing Room of Foreign Merchant's House in Yokohama

9th month, 1861
Not on view
The unexpected arrival of the American Commodore Matthew Perry (1794—1858) in Tokyo in 1853 truly astonished the Japanese people, who had been isolated from the rest of the world for more than 200 years, since the national seclusion act of 1639. Rapidly following Perry's visit, the nation's doors opened to the West, the feudal government of the shoguns collapsed, and the modern age was ushered in.
Foreigners visiting Tokyo from "the five nations"—England, the Netherlands, France, Russia, and the United States—were restricted to living in Yokohama, a port city on Tokyo Bay. Their physical appearance, apparel, and ways of life were subjected to intense scrutiny and became the popular theme for so-called Yokohama prints. In this imaginary scene, a Western merchant's family relaxes in a European-style residence. Western ships like the ones that frequented Tokyo Bay can be glimpsed through the windows.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Foreigners in the Drawing Room of Foreign Merchant's House in Yokohama
  • Artist: Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide (Japanese, 1807–1873)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 9th month, 1861
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Image (a): 14 x 9 3/4 in. (35.6 x 24.8 cm)
    Image (b): 14 x 9 3/8 in. (35.6 x 23.8 cm)
    Image (c): 14 x 10 7/8 in. (35.6 x 27.6 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Bequest of William S. Lieberman, 2005
  • Object Number: 2007.49.131a–c
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Defeat of the Mongols in the Western Sea, Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan
Defeat of the Mongols in the Western Sea
Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide
1863
Proof Line-Block Print for Fan, Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide Japanese, Proof line-block print for fan; ink on paper, Japan
Proof Line-Block Print for Fan
Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide
19th century
Landscape View at Yokohama (Yokohama fūkei), Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan
Landscape View at Yokohama (Yokohama fūkei)
Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide
2nd month, 1860
Russians Enjoying a Holiday in Yokohama (Yokohama kyūjitsu Roshiajin yūkō), Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide Japanese, Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan
Russians Enjoying a Holiday in Yokohama (Yokohama kyūjitsu Roshiajin yūkō)
Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide
1861
Observations on the Opening of Yokohama (Yokohama kaikō kenbunshi), Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide Japanese, Three volumes of woodblock printed books; ink on paper, Japan
Observations on the Opening of Yokohama (Yokohama kaikō kenbunshi)
Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide
19th century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.