Night View of the Yamato Tea-house in Nawate Dori Seen from Shijo Bridge 1836 - 1870

Hasegawa Sadanobu created this woodblock print, ‘Night View of the Yamato Tea-house in Nawate Dori Seen from Shijo Bridge’, using a technique called *ukiyo-e.* *Ukiyo-e*, meaning “pictures of the floating world,” flourished in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries. Artists like Sadanobu, along with publishers, carvers, and printers, developed this sophisticated process. The image was first drawn, then transferred to a woodblock for carving. Each color required its own block, meticulously carved, inked, and then printed onto paper. The final print showcases sharp lines, subtle gradations, and vibrant colors. The subject matter of *ukiyo-e* often focused on everyday life, landscapes, and popular culture. Sadanobu’s winter scene captures a moment of leisure and social interaction. The print’s delicate lines and layered colors evoke the atmosphere of a snowy evening in Kyoto, the capital of Japan at the time. This print is not just a picture; it represents a complex collaboration and embodies the spirit of its time, blurring the boundaries between art, craft, and commercial production.