What movement is Kempo happu shiki no zu|View of the Issuance of the Constitution?

Kempo happu shiki no zu|View of the Issuance of the Constitution is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Kempo happu shiki no zu|View of the Issuance of the Constitution

Kempo happu shiki no zu|View of the Issuance of the Constitution is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Baiju Kunitoshi. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Kempo happu shiki no zu, or View of the Issuance of the Constitution, is a triptych woodblock print created by Baiju Kunitoshi in 1889. It is a colorful cityscape scene, divided into three parts, and is held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a ceremonial scene with a man in a black uniform on a red platform, holding a document, surrounded by other uniformed men and dignitaries. Women in traditional Japanese clothing are gathered on one side, while men in dark clothing watch from the other, suggesting a significant event.

Technique & Style

The triptych is executed in ink and color on paper, featuring bright and bold colors, including red, green, and purple. The composition is formal, with figures dressed in ceremonial attire, and a stylized background with a purple sky and a yellow building with red doors.