Gathering of Ōtsu-e Characters c. 19th century

Shibata Zeshin created this print called "Gathering of Ōtsu-e Characters" at an unknown date. It depicts a gathering of folk-art characters, connecting the high art world of printmaking with popular culture. Ōtsu-e were mass-produced, inexpensive paintings sold as souvenirs and charms to travelers in the Edo period in Japan. Often crudely executed, they depicted Buddhist figures, legendary characters, and animals, sometimes with satirical or moralizing undertones. Zeshin, trained in traditional painting, was fascinated by these humble images. In this print, he elevates the Ōtsu-e characters, gathering them in a playful composition that blurs the lines between high and low art. Understanding this print requires some exploration of the social hierarchy in the Edo period, the rise of a merchant class with disposable income for travel and souvenirs, and the complex relationship between folk art and the established art world. By researching these histories, we can begin to understand how an artist like Zeshin challenged artistic and social norms in Japan.