DISCOVERART

Utagawa Toyokuni

The Shika Teahouse

early 1790s
One of a triptych of color woodblock prints

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Exotic birds and tobacco—Western imports—feature in this composition. Peacocks and parrots were brought to Japan by Dutch traders in the 1700s. Many of the visitors to this teahouse, which specialized in displays of foreign birds, admire the unusual fowl while sipping tea and smoking long pipes. The birds have attracted curious courtesans, entertainers, samurai, merchants and their wives, and even a Buddhist monk.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Utagawa Toyokuni

Courtesans Promenading on the NakanochōCourtesans Promenading on the NakanochōCourtesans of the Ōgiya on a Spring OutingCourtesans of the Ōgiya on a Spring OutingCherry Blossoms in the WindCherry Blossoms in the WindCourtesans Promenading on the NakanochōCourtesans Promenading on the NakanochōCourtesans Promenading on the NakanochōCourtesans Promenading on the NakanochōCourtesans of the Ōgiya on a Spring OutingCourtesans of the Ōgiya on a Spring OutingMemorial Portrait of Sawamura Sojuro III as Satsuma GengobeiMemorial Portrait of Sawamura Sojuro III as Satsuma GengobeiIwai Kiyotaro (Edoya) as Okaru (from the series Pictures of Actors Onstage)Iwai Kiyotaro (Edoya) as Okaru (from the series Pictures of

More like this

Party on the Pleasure Boat KawaichimaruChōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756–1829) — Party on the PleasurWomen Viewing Cherry Blossoms at AsukayamaKatsukawa Shunchō (Japanese) — Women Viewing Cherry BlossomsThe Matsukaze Chapter of the Tale of Genji (from the series The Tale of Genji in Elegant Modern Dress)Chōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756–1829) — The Matsukaze ChapteA Thousand Autumns, Ten Thousand Years on Tokiwa BridgeKatsukawa Shunchō (Japanese) — A Thousand Autumns, Ten ThousPrint from Women Resting in the Votive Picture Hall at AsakusaChōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756–1829) — Print from Women ResWakana, Part 1 (Wakana, jo), from the series "A Fashionable Parody of the Tale of Genji (Furyu yatsushi Genji)"Chôbunsai Eishi — Wakana, Part 1 (Wakana, jo), from the seriMusashi Province from the series Fashionable Six Jewel Rivers (Furyu Mu Tamagawa)Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, c. 1754–1806) — Musashi ProvincThe Matsukaze Chapter of the Tale of Genji (from the series The Tale of Genji in Elegant Modern Dress)Chōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756–1829) — The Matsukaze ChapteWomen Viewing Cherry Blossoms at AsukayamaKatsukawa Shunchō (Japanese) — Women Viewing Cherry BlossomsWomen Hanging Laundry to Dry on a BalconyKitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, c. 1754–1806) — Women Hanging LaA Thousand Autumns, Ten Thousand Years on Tokiwa BridgeKatsukawa Shunchō (Japanese) — A Thousand Autumns, Ten ThousViewing Cherry Blossoms at UenoKatsukawa Shunchô — Viewing Cherry Blossoms at Ueno