Woodblock Printed Ship Menus

This gallery includes images produced as covers for menus used on Japanese cruise ships. Although a few of the menus specifically note that the images were “done by hand in wood colour print”, the majority, if not all, of the prints were produced using a combination of traditional wood block carving followed by application of colors using a mechanical press as a substitute for the traditional technique of hand rubbing with a baren. In many cases the artist and subject matter are not indicated but the image closely resembles a known work by an artist that has been apparently copied with some modification. In others, the artist is specifically referenced but the image has been modified sufficiently that it could be considered as being inspired by rather than a reproduction of the artist’s original work. For this reason, we have chosen to reference most works as being “after” a specific artist.

Unidentified Artist

Kago (Palinquin). Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. December 20, 1932. 13.4 x 19.1 cm

Itsuryo Shiozaki (1884-1974)

Hizakari. “Reproduced by hand in color print.” Cover of a dinner menu for the Katori Maru. July 27, 1938. 13.5 x 19.0 cm

After Utagawa Hiroshige (1796-1858)

The Fireworks on the River Sumida. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. March 12th, 1938. 13.6 x 19.3 cm

Imanaka Soyu (1886-1959)

Pheasant. “Reproduction made in color print by hand”. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. July 19th, 1938. 13.4 x 19.1 cm

Unidentified Artist

Untitled. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. July 15th, 1938. 13.7 x 19.1 cm

Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934)

A restful scene on the ancient Tokaido highway immortalized by Hiroshige. Cover of a dinner menu for the Katori Maru. December 22nd, 1937. 13.6 x 19.2 cm

After Yeisho

A Wife of a Samurai. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. March 7th, 1938. 13.5 x 19.1 cm

Unidentified Artist

Untitled. Depiction of a fivefold pagoda. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. December 31, 1937. 13.5 x 19.1 cm

After Hasui Kawase (1883-1957)

Nijubashi Morning. Cover of a dinner menu for the Tatsuta Maru. January 6th, 1938. 13.8 x 19.2 cm

After Hasui Kawase (1883-1957)

Pine Beach at Miho. Cover for a dinner menu for the M.S. Tatsuta Maru. August 31st, 1935. 12.9 x 20.0 cm

After Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908)

Untitled. Cover if a dinner Menu for the Katori Maru. June 12, 1938. 13.0 x 20.1 cm

After Kasai Soho (1868-1912)

Cranes. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. July 29th, 1938. 13.6 x 19.0 cm

After Bummei

Depiction of Mandarin Ducks. Cover of a menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. March 25th, 1938. 13.4 x 19.2 cm

After Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858)

Arashiyama, Kyoto. Modification of a detail of print The Moon Crossing Bridge at Arashiyama in Yamashiro Province. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. July 8th, 1938. 13.5 x 19.1 cm

After Hanabusa Iccho (1652-1722)

Bon Odori. Cover for a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. May 16th, 1938. 13.5 x 19.2 cm

Unidentified Artist

Kegon Fall. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. March 22nd, 1938. 13.5 x 19.2 cm

After Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806)

Serving Tea. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. May 14th, 1938. 13.7 x 19.0 cm

After Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858)

Adapted from the print Suido Bridge, Surugadai. From the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. May 29th, 1938. 12.7 x 20.1 cm

Unidentified Artist

Buddhist priest starting on a mendicant tour at Enryakuji Temple, Hiyezan, Kyoto. Cover of a breakfast menu for the S.S. Hikawa Maru. January 11th, 1940. 13.4 x 18.9 cm

Ohara Koson (1877-1945)

Red Plum and Nightingale. Cover of a dinner menu for the Nitta Maru. April 27th, 1940. Likely Published by Nippon Mokuhan Co. Tokio. 13.8 x 19.2 cm

After Ito Shinsui (1898-1972)

A present-day Japanese woman in her tradional “Kimono”. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. March 14, 1938. 13.6 x 19.1 cm

Unidentified Artist

Among Kyoto's Charms. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. December 13th, 1937. 13.6 x 19.3 cm

After Ito Shinsui (1898-1972)

Depiction of Lion Dance. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. February 27th, 1938. 13.1 x 20.1 cm

After Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858)

Untitled. Adaptation of the print Hoki Province, Ono. Distant View of Mount Daisen. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. 12.7 x 19.9 cm

After Kitagawa Fujimaro (1790-1850).

Untitled. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. “Done by hand in wood colour print.” June 6th, 1938. 13.5 x 19.1 cm

Kobori Yasuwo(1902-1970)

Yorimoto's First Campaign. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. March 16th, 1938. 13.6 x 19.1 cm

Unidentified Artist

Hagoromo. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. December 23rd, 1937. 13.7 x 19.2 cm

Unidentified Artist

Inari-Jinsha, Fushimi. Cover of a dinner menu for the S.S. Katori Maru. March 3rd, 1938. 13.5 x 19.0 cm

Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934)

The Meaning of Maru. Cover for a dinner menu for the M.S. Asama Maru. July 15, 1936. 13.3 x 19.0 cm

Unidentified Artist

Sho Chiku Bai. Dinner Menu for the S.S. Hakusan Maru. September 17th, 1938. 12.6 x 18.8 cm