Americans Strolling About

Maker(s)
Artist: Utagawa Yoshifuji (1828-1887)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, 1861
Medium
Ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 35.4 x 24.6 cm (13 15/16 x 9 11/16 in)
Geography
Japan, Yokohama
Credit Line
Gift of the Daval Foundation, from the Collection of Ambassador and Mrs. William Leonhart
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1991.150
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Print
Type

Woodblock print

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), foreigner, Japan, oban, ukiyo-e
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

The Japanese word for Americans, Amerikajin, is written in roman script that has been divided awkwardly into syllables so that the letters correspond as closely as possible to Japanese phonetic script and fit into the vertical frame for the title. The father is depicted smoking a cigar, a form of tobacco that was probably introduced into Japan by American residents of Yokohama. Tobacco had been smoked in elongated pipes since its inception by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century.

Published References
  • Ann Yonemura, Milo Cleveland Beach, The Honorable and Mrs. William Leonhart. Yokohama: Prints From 19th Century Japan. Exh. cat. Washington. cat. 50, p. 137.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use