Snowy Day

Snowy Day, documented through the ukiyo-e.org archive, draws on the snow-scene tradition that runs through every major period of ukiyo-e, from Harunobu's snowy gardens to Hiroshige's snow-covered post stations. Tomioka Eisen's Meiji treatment of the motif likely centers on a figure moving through or sheltering against the snow, the contrast between the soft white of the precipitation and the dark accents of kimono and architecture providing rich opportunities for the printer. Snow subjects also carry a strong seasonal and poetic charge in Japanese culture, evoking the cycle of the year that has structured Japanese painting and poetry for over a millennium. The work demonstrates Eisen's command of seasonal subjects as a counterpart to his more genre-driven scenes.