Wisteria Maiden with an Ōtsu Demon Dressed as an Itinerant Monk, from the series Souvenir Paintings from Ōtsu, Stocked in Edo (Edo Shi-ire Ōtsu Miyage)

ca. 1802–3

Not on view

Ōtsu-e, or “Ōtsu pictures,” originated in the early Edo period around the city of Ōtsu, in present-day Shiga Prefecture. The genre first centered around Buddhist imagery, but over time it evolved into a popular form of folk painting—often even a satirical one, such as in its depictions of demons as monks. Ōtsu-e were produced by family workshops for commoners traveling along the Tōkaidō. Sold at roadside stalls, they were inexpensive works meant for everyday use in the home. .

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

北川歌麿画　「江戸仕入大津土産」藤娘・鬼念仏
Title: Wisteria Maiden with an Ōtsu Demon Dressed as an Itinerant Monk, from the series Souvenir Paintings from Ōtsu, Stocked in Edo (Edo Shi-ire Ōtsu Miyage)
Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754–1806)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1802–3
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 14 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (36.8 x 24.1 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Estate of Samuel Isham, 1914
Object Number: JP990
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Kitagawa Utamaro

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Foot-Soldier with a Spear and Hawk-Handler (Yari-mochi yakko to taka shō), from the series Souvenir Paintings from Ōtsu, Stocked in Edo (Edo Shi-ire Ōtsu Miyage), Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Foot-Soldier with a Spear and Hawk-Handler (Yari-mochi yakko to taka shō), from the series Souvenir Paintings from Ōtsu, Stocked in Edo (Edo Shi-ire Ōtsu Miyage)
Kitagawa Utamaro
ca. 1802–3

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Night Rain at the Double-Shelf Stand, from the series Eight Parlor Views (Zashiki hakkei), Suzuki Harunobu Japanese, Woodblock print (first edition); ink and colors on paper, medium-sized print (chuban), Japan — Night Rain at the Double-Shelf Stand, from the series Eight Parlor Views (Zashiki hakkei)
Suzuki Harunobu
ca. 1766

Okita of the Naniwa-ya Teahouse, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan — Okita of the Naniwa-ya Teahouse
Kitagawa Utamaro
ca. 1793

Koto (箏), Various woods, ivory, metal, nylon, tortoiseshell, abalone, lacquerwork, Japanese — Koto (箏)
Japanese
20th century

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.