Chanoyu nichinichisō

The sequence of 16 prints follows the hosts throughout the day, from the preparations in the early morning to the arrival of three guests and their departure in the evening.

At first look, Toshikata’s series appears to depict a traditional practice. However, there is a modern spin to it. While the Japanese tea ceremony was historically performed mostly by men, it became a primarily feminine activity during the Meiji period. In that regard, the series captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Japanese tea ceremony and reflects the complex social and cultural changes occurring in late 19th-century Japan, particularly around changing gender roles.