The First Month - Ishikawa Toyomasa

A traditional Ukiyo-e woodblock print depicting a domestic New Year celebration in eighteenth-century Japan.

This woodblock print by Ishikawa Toyomasa captures a domestic scene during the Japanese New Year, known as the first month. The composition focuses on a group of figures gathered on tatami mats, engaged in seasonal activities. The artist employs a high-angle perspective, common in Ukiyo-e prints of the period, to display the interior space and the figures simultaneously.

One figure stands on the wooden veranda, holding a small object, while others sit on the floor, interacting with toys or ritual items. The attention to detail in the textiles, from the striped patterns of the kimonos to the subtle textures of the floor mats, demonstrates the technical precision of the woodblock medium. The colour palette remains muted, relying on soft earth tones, greens, and faded reds, which is characteristic of prints from the mid-to-late eighteenth century.

In the foreground, small objects associated with New Year celebrations, such as a tea set and decorative arrangements, provide context to the gathering. The architectural elements, including the sliding screen doors and the veranda, frame the action, creating a sense of enclosure and intimacy. Ishikawa Toyomasa, a pupil of Ishikawa Toyonobu, was known for his depictions of children and domestic life. This work reflects the period's interest in documenting the customs of the merchant class and the quiet moments of daily existence. The print serves as a visual record of traditional Japanese life, where the change of the calendar year was marked by specific social rituals and shared family time.