Russians and a Chinese Inscribing a Fan - Utagawa Hiroshige II

A 1861 woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige II depicting a cultural encounter between Russian and Chinese figures in Yokohama.

This woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige II captures a specific moment of cultural encounter during the Bakumatsu period. Produced in 1861, the work belongs to the Yokohama-e genre, which documented the arrival of foreigners in the port city of Yokohama following the opening of Japan to international trade. The composition features a Russian officer standing beside a seated Chinese figure, who is engaged in the act of inscribing a fan. A smaller figure, also dressed in foreign attire, assists with the ink preparation.

The artist employs the characteristic flat perspective and bold outlines associated with the Ukiyo-e tradition. The colour palette remains restrained, utilising muted blues, browns, and cream tones to define the figures and their garments. The Russian officer wears a military uniform complete with a bicorne hat and a sword, while the Chinese figure is depicted in a heavy, fur-trimmed robe. The inclusion of a flowering branch in the upper portion of the print provides a subtle decorative element, balancing the figures below.

Such prints were popular among the Japanese public, who were curious about the appearance and customs of the foreigners now present in their country. Hiroshige II, a student of the famous Hiroshige, adopted this subject matter to satisfy the demand for information regarding these new arrivals. The print functions as a visual record of the era, documenting the sartorial details and the perceived interactions between different nationalities during this period of rapid social change. The work demonstrates the technical proficiency of the artist in woodblock printing, with clear registration of the colours and precise line work throughout the composition.