Yokohama Igirisu Shokan hanei no zu|Picture of a Prosperous English Trading Firm in Yokohama
1871
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
1871
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
This print shows a packed, colorful room with rows of people sitting on red carpets. Tall banners with patterns hang from the ceiling, and flags line the walls. In the center, a group of men in black and striped suits stands near tables covered with teapots, globes, and boxes. Outside the windows, ships and buildings suggest a busy port. The artist packed in so many details that the scene feels alive—like a snapshot of a crowded marketplace. The mix of Western-style goods and Japanese decor hints at trade and cultural exchange. Look up crowd next to see how artists handle busy scenes in other works.
