Snapshots of the Past

Amerika nigiwai no zu – Historic Print

Amerika nigiwai no zu, Japan : Yamajin (Yamashiroya Jinbei), 1861. — historic print
Amerika nigiwai no zu, Japan : Yamajin (Yamashiroya Jinbei), 1861.. Historic print from the Japanese Prints collection.

(Originally scanned by the Library of Congress. Each image is professionally and digitally cleaned of artifacts such as color bars and extra borders prior to printing.)

Description

A window into the past: Amerika nigiwai no zu, preserved in this historic print. Sourced directly from the Library of Congress, it represents an authentic piece of documented history.

The framed print arrives ready to hang; the unframed option suits custom framing. A conversation-starting piece for home, office, or as a meaningful gift. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Snapshots of the Past, founded in 2001, has served tens of thousands of customers worldwide.

Amerika nigiwai no zu

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Unlike many Yokohama prints that focus on ships or buildings, this three-sheet triptych puts Americans at the center of the scene. Its title, *Amerika nigiwai no zu*, roughly means "Picture of Liveliness in America," and it was published in 1861 by Yamashiroya Jinbei, who worked under the name Yamajin. The design is attributed to Utagawa Hiroshige II and belongs to a series on the Western world. Yokohama had opened to foreign trade only in 1859, so prints like this gave Japanese viewers a close look at newcomers' clothing and city life.

Created / publishedJapan : Yamajin (Yamashiroya Jinbei), 1861.
Medium1 print on hōsho paper (3 sheets) : woodcut, color ; each block 35.5 x 24.5 cm.; each sheet 35.5 x 24.5 cm.
Genreorganized by the Library of Congress, 2001. Source of name (700): LCNA; there are 2 700s, which one is it? Assigned to Hiroshige II based on information from LC exhibit website.
NotesTitle from item. Signature: Hiroshige ga. Seal date: Cock 9. Triptych formerly housed in 3 separate sections; rehoused in single mat. Annotation in pencil on mount: H1. From series entitled: Images of the western world. Annotations, stamps, etc., on verso of print: 4; LC2585; 47623a (white label). The Floating world of Ukiyo-e: shadows, dreams and substance / essays by Sandy Kita ... [et al.]. New York: Harry N. Abrams, in association with the Library of Congress, 2001, no. 70 (p. 132) Yokohama ukiyoe : Reflection of the cultures of Yokohama in days of the port opening / Tsuneo Tamba. [Japan : 1962] Earlier control number: 4162. Gift; Mrs. E. Crane Chadbourne; 1930; (DLC/PP-1930:47623a). Forms part of: Chadbourne collection of Japanese prints (Library of Congress). Exhibited: The Floating world of Ukiyo-e: shadows
SubjectsAmericans--Clothing & dress--1860-1870. City & town life--1860-1870.
SourceLibrary of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Original scan3,566 × 4,489 px · prints to 12 × 15 in at 300 dpi
ReferenceAMZ-SOTP-HPA-221917

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