Kuniyoshi Utagawa Japanese Woodblock Yazama Jujiro Motooki 1847

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Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1797-1861)
"Yazama Jujiro Motooki", from the biographies of the loyal retainers (47 Ronin)c. 1847. Good impression but some … Read more Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1797-1861)
"Yazama Jujiro Motooki", from the biographies of the loyal retainers (47 Ronin)c. 1847. Good impression but some minor wrinkling and a crease from the upper center down the middle about 3 1/2". Minor foxing to the far left center, otherwise a nice image.
Publisher: Ebiya Rinnosuke
Seals: Kinugasa and Hama
Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga
Image measures 14" x 9.5"
frame 20.5 x 16
Of the period c. 1847

Yazama Jujiro Motooki:
Yazama Jujiro Motooki killed Moronao with his spear. His wife killed herself at his tomb, leaving a note that read: “You were a loyal servant to the lord and never wanted to serve another. Even if you lost your life, your name will live long as a great soldier.“

Kuniyoshi Utagawa:
The son of silk dyer, Kuniyoshi Utagawa was born into the Igusa family in Edo. Little is known about his very early years, though he is said to have shown remarkable talent from a young age. Kuniyoshi began his ukiyo-e career as a pupil of Shunei. At age 14 he was accepted to study the art of woodblock printing under Toyokuni I and, in time, would become one of his most successful students. In 1814, he left Toyokuni’s studio to pursue a career as an independent ukiyo-e artist. Initially, he had little success, selling tatami mats in order to support himself. However, his fortunes changed in 1827 with his dramatic series 108 Heroes of the Suikoden. From that point forward, the public hungered for his portrayals of famous samurai and legendary heroes. Kuniyoshi Utagawa worked across all genres, producing some brilliant landscapes and charming bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women). He died in the spring of 1861 from complications of a stroke.

In direct contrast to the peaceful views of a scenic Japan provided by Hiroshige and Hokusai, the following decades saw a rise of the fierce, fearsome and fantastical in ukiyo-e. Kuniyoshi welcomed this changing public taste. He had a ravenous imagination and the full scope of his work reveals an aesthetic sensibility capable of capturing almost any experience. No doubt, however, his particular genius felt most at home in the world of martial glory, where epic battles decided the fate of empires and fierce warriors clashed to the death. Kuniyoshi's prints were so popular in his time that he received requests for tattoo designs. (Wikipedia)

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