Kuniyoshi - Otsu Pictures for the Times

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Center panel of a famous Kuniyoshi triptych called "Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono" 梳行逢都繪代稀物 (Otsu Pictures for the Times: A Rare Thing You've Been Waiting For). Note the dancing cat at his feet.

The whole triptych shows Kuniyoshi in the center panel and Ōtsu characters parading behind him. Kuniyoshi is famous for not showing his face, hence the flying paper obscuring it. This print features many characters typically depicted in Ōtsu-e works, such as oni (goblins) and figures from Kabuki plays. It's as if the characters he painted have come to life. The composition also shows Kuniyoshi's attempt to evade edicts forbidding the depiction of Kabuki actors, Kuniyoshi substituted the faces of famous performers for the Ōtsu-e characters’ faces.

Size: Oban (37.5 x 25.8 cm) only 1 sheet.

Date: 1848

Condition: Good color, repairs can be seen on the back of the print.

Publisher: Minatoya Kohei 湊屋小兵衛

Genre: Ukiyo-e

Medium: Woodblock Print