Bamboo Shoot and Red Plum Blossom

Hiroshige employed a wide range of subjects in his uchiwa prints, including still lifes such as the present lot. Here, he places a sprig of plum blossom and a bamboo shoot against a pure blue background, making effective use of empty space (yohaku), a feature of East Asian aesthetics that conveys meaning through restraint, while leaving room for the viewer’s imagination. Plum blossoms flower despite the lingering cold, symbolizing resilience and vitality in Chinese culture, while in Japan they have long been celebrated as harbingers of spring. Bamboo shoots likewise emerge in spring. Together, the two motifs form a simple yet evocative celebration of the season’s arrival and renewed vitality.