Portrait of Sugino Juheiji Tsugifusa
Original title: Portrait of Sugino Juheiji Tsugifusa
kurzbeschreibung
A white turban wraps the head of Sugino Juheiji Tsugifusa, whose robe carries a striking pattern, in this 1852 colour woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Floral ornaments and a red banner fill the space behind him.
Description
Sugino Juheiji Tsugifusa stands at the centre, his head bound in a white turban and his robe marked by a bold, clearly readable pattern. Floral decoration and a red banner bearing Japanese characters form the setting. Red, blue and white set the tone. The arrangement feels balanced: the figure holds the middle while details and writing fill the surrounding space.
Context
Printed in 1852, late in the Edo period, the sheet comes from Utagawa Kuniyoshi. It belongs to ukiyo-e, a genre that circulated widely in the urban Japan of the nineteenth century. Sugino Juheiji Tsugifusa is a historical figure, and his portrait takes its place within Kuniyoshi's body of work.
Impact
Crisp outlines and strong colour contrasts give the portrait an immediate presence. The even layout and the decorative elements behind the figure produce a calm yet festive mood.
Technique
Ink and colour on paper, printed from woodblocks. As is usual in ukiyo-e, the technique shows in precise contours and flat areas of colour. The sheet measures roughly 37.1 cm by 25.1 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)