Interior of an American Steamship – Utagawa Yoshikazu, 1861 Original Japanese Woodblock Print Triptych (Yokohama-e) Framed Dimensions: 19 1/4" H x 33 1/4" W x 1" D | Gold wood frame with green matting protected behind glass A rare and captivating Edo-period woodblock triptych by Utagawa Yoshikazu, Interior of an American Steamship (1861) offers a panoramic cutaway view of life aboard a Western steamship, rendered with vibrant color and fine detail. Created during Japan’s period of rapid modernization following the 1853 arrival of Commodore Perry, this work reflects the country's growing fascination with foreign cultures and technology. A student of the renowned Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yoshikazu was a leading figure in Yokohama-e—a genre depicting foreigners and their customs. This piece features Western figures dining in an elaborately furnished cabin, complete with lanterns, glassware, and a mural, while above, others explore the ship’s upper deck among masts and rigging. Measuring 14" x 28 3/4" (image size), the triptych is presented in a handsome gold wood frame with green matting. In good condition with strong color and detail, this work stands as both a historical document and a striking example of cross-cultural artistry during a pivotal era in Japanese history. Genre: Yokohama-e Medium: Ink and color on paper Artist Active: Circa 1850–1870 Period: Edo (1615–1868) Subject: Westerners aboard a steamship, symbolizing Japan’s opening to the world A remarkable collector’s piece that captures the spirit of 19th-century globalization through the lens of traditional Japanese art. About the artist A student of Kuniyoshi, Yoshikazu Utagawa was an important artist of Yokohama-e. This genre of woodblock prints imagined the foreign people, customs, and things that entered Japan following Japanese engagement in trade in 1854. While best known for his Yokohama-e, Yoshikazu also produced a number of historical prints as well.