Inuzaka Keno Tanetomo from Story of Eight Dogs (Hakkenden)
Original title: Inuzaka Keno Tanetomo from Story of Eight Dogs (Hakkenden)
kurzbeschreibung
Utagawa Kuniyoshi made this colour woodblock print around 1830 as part of the series 'The Story of the Eight Dogs' (Hakkenden). The vertical ōban sheet presents a female figure in traditional Japanese dress, carrying a weapon and surrounded by smaller figures. The work is executed as a woodblock print with ink and colour on paper.
Description
A female figure sits at the centre on a chair covered with red fabric. Her elaborately styled hair is adorned with ribbons, and a weapon rests in her hand. Below her, several small figures are scattered in various poses and with different expressions. The background is less detailed and shows further people and landscape elements. The colours are lively and contrasting, with reds, blues and greens predominating. Japanese characters run down the left side and appear at the top right.
Context
The series 'Hakkenden' is based on the novel of the same name by Kyokutei Bakin, published between 1814 and 1842. Kuniyoshi produced numerous woodblock prints on this subject, which concern the eight dog warriors and their adventures. This sheet dates from the late Edo period, when woodblock printing was the dominant medium of urban visual culture. The appearance of a female figure with a weapon points to Kuniyoshi's typical combination of heroism and fantastic elements.
Impact
The layout feels dynamic and draws the eye to the central figure and the strong colours. Delicate details in the foreground meet a pared-back rendering of the background, creating a sense of spatial depth. Vivid colours and expressive figure drawing give the print an immediate visual presence.
Technique
As a colour woodblock print (nishiki-e) with ink and colour on paper, the sheet shows how multi-colour printing reproduces fine lines and flat areas of colour with precision. The format is vertical ōban, measuring 45.4 × 25.7 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)