Hour of the Horse, from the Series Women at Various Hours of the Day
娘日時計・午ノ刻
Kitagawa Utamaro · 18th century (Edo period) · Woodblock print (ukiyo-e)
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Hour of the Horse from the series Women at Various Hours of the Day is a large-format color woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro (18th century, Edo period), showing two young women fresh from the bath at around noon. It is an Important Cultural Property held by the Tokyo National Museum.
- Artist
- Kitagawa Utamaro
- Date
- 18th century (Edo period)
- Medium / format
- Woodblock print (ukiyo-e)
About this work
Women at Various Hours of the Day is a series of five prints that follow the lives of townswomen through the day, in snapshot style. Of these, the Hour of the Horse corresponds to around noon.
Two young women fresh from the bath are shown, one with a hand towel and a bran bag in her mouth. On the yellow ground, a frame with the title appears at upper right. The woman in front holds the towel to her face, and another woman sits close behind her. The woman in front wears a hairpin in her topknot, a reddish kimono with a black collar, and a sash in a yellow and brown check. A bran bag is a small bag used to rub the skin when bathing.
The absence of outlines on the faces shows Utamaro's attempt at a more realistic style. This is a large-format color woodblock print, designated an Important Cultural Property.
Where can I see it?
Exhibitions change over time. Check each museum's exhibition information before you visit.
Museums that hold this work
- Tokyo National MuseumMuseum's page for this work (opens in a new tab)
Taito City, Tokyo Accession no. A-10569-519
Plan your visit to Tokyo National Museum
Find places to stay, activities and rental cars for a visit to Tokyo National Museum, which holds "Hour of the Horse, from the Series Women at Various Hours of the Day".
Frequently asked questions
- Who painted Hour of the Horse, from the Series Women at Various Hours of the Day, and when?
- Hour of the Horse, from the Series Women at Various Hours of the Day is by Kitagawa Utamaro, made in 18th century (Edo period). Medium: Woodblock print (ukiyo-e).
- Where can I see Hour of the Horse, from the Series Women at Various Hours of the Day?
- It is held by Tokyo National Museum. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.
Sources and references
- ColBase (Tokyo National Museum) (in Japanese) (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-11-05)
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