Album of Calligraphy and Painting (Shoga jō) - Tsukioka Settei

A delicate woodblock print by Tsukioka Settei depicting three children observing a small bird, rendered in the traditional Ukiyo-e style.

This woodblock print originates from the Album of Calligraphy and Painting (Shoga jō) by Tsukioka Settei, a prominent artist of the mid-Edo period. Settei was active in Osaka and gained recognition for his depictions of women and children, often rendered with a distinct softness that deviates from the more stylised forms found in contemporary Edo-based prints.

The composition features three children interacting with a small bird. One child sits on the left, observing the creature, while another kneels in the centre, gesturing towards an open cage. A third child stands on the right, holding a fan and watching the scene. The figures are drawn with fine, controlled lines, and the colour palette remains restrained, relying on muted greens, blues, and earthy tones to define the garments. The paper texture and the inclusion of calligraphic text on the left side are characteristic of the album format, which served as a medium for both visual and literary expression.

Settei’s approach to the human form in this work reflects his training and his interest in the daily lives of his subjects. The children are depicted with rounded features and expressive postures, capturing a quiet moment of curiosity. The use of negative space across the page allows the figures to occupy the frame without clutter, maintaining a balance between the illustrative elements and the surrounding paper. This print provides a view into the aesthetic preferences of the Kamigata region during the eighteenth century, where the focus often leaned towards a more gentle, observational style of genre painting. The work remains a clear example of Settei's technical ability and his contribution to the broader tradition of Japanese woodblock printing.