Kuwana
1804
Three travelers have huddled around a small fire to roast sweet potatoes, creating a warm, candid moment of Edo-period street food culture. The woman on the left, dressed in a striking blue and red kimono, fans the flames while a monk and companion look on with baskets of produce nearby. Created in 1804 by Katsushika Hokusai—long before he painted the famous Great Wave—this piece showcases his early talent for illustrating everyday life and travel scenes. It’s a charming reminder that the simple pleasure of roasting snacks by the road has been a Japanese tradition for centuries.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
- Material
- Paper and pigment