The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 23, 2025

Cherry Blossoms in the Wind

late 1790s

Utagawa Toyokuni

(Japanese, 1769–1825)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Overall: 38.7 x 80 cm (15 1/4 x 31 1/2 in.)
Gift of Jeptha H. Wade in honor of Emily V. Wade 1975.97.a
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

There is embossing on the flowers.

Description

Highly regarded for his images of actors, Toyokuni was also known for his prints of beauties that demonstrate his brilliant skill in composition. This triptych depicts a joyful hanami (flower viewing) scene in spring. One woman stands on a huge wine bottle, while another one sits on a samurai’s shoulder; in both scenes, the women are tying prayers or poems on tree branches. On the left, two servants protect a well-dressed lady from the wind. Their fluttering, long-sleeved kimonos capture the wind’s movement. Standing in a triad, the three groups form a stable, harmonic composition against the cherry blossom background.
  • ?–1975
    Jeptha H. Wade III [1924–2008], Massachusetts, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1975–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Lee, Sherman E. “The Year in Review for 1975.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 63, no. 2 (February 1976): 31–71. Mentioned: p. 71, no. 163 www.jstor.org
  • Japanese Gallery 235 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (March 27-July 10, 2017).
    Cleveland Museum of Art, 1976: Year in Review 1975.
  • {{cite web|title=Cherry Blossoms in the Wind|url=false|author=Utagawa Toyokuni|year=late 1790s|access-date=23 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1975.97.a