Woman Pursuing Sparrow 1691 - 1768

Okumura Masanobu created this ink on paper woodblock print titled "Woman Pursuing Sparrow" sometime in the first half of the 18th century. It’s a scene of everyday life, but look closer, and you see it tells us much more about the artist's society. The image presents us with a glimpse into the social conditions of Japan's Edo period. This was a time when woodblock prints were becoming increasingly popular, as they were relatively inexpensive and could be produced quickly. Masanobu was one of the key figures in this boom. The print shows ordinary people going about their daily routines in a rural setting. The woman chasing the sparrow, the men carrying goods, and the children playing – all of these details paint a picture of the social life and economic activities of the time. The imagery in the artwork isn’t merely a snapshot of reality; it comments on the social structures of the time, with all its nuances and complexities. To fully understand this artwork, we can turn to historical records, literature, and other cultural artifacts from the Edo period.