Episode 3: Echoes of Edo – The Painted Handscrolls of Miyagawa Chōshun

In this episode of CleveCast: Voices of the CCMA, we turn our attention to two rarely seen handscrolls by Miyagawa Chōshun (1683–1753), currently on view as part of Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art.

Justin Witte shares how these painted scrolls offer a unique and intimate view into the world of Edo-period Japan. Unlike woodblock prints, Chōshun’s handscrolls are entirely painted by hand, with continuous horizontal scenes that unfold across the length of the work—inviting viewers into a flowing visual narrative.

We explore:
– Who Miyagawa Chōshun was and his place in ukiyo-e history
– How handscrolls function differently from prints as storytelling tools
– The cultural significance of the depicted scenes, from fashion to entertainment
– Why these works are so rare—and how they came to be part of the exhibition

🖼️ Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World is on view through September 2025 at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art.

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