Act IX (Kudanme), from the series “The Treasury of Loyal Retainers (Chushingura)"
c. 1798/99
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
38.1 × 25.3 cm (15 × 10 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
110743
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan, Kitagawa Utamaro's *Act IX (Kudanme), from the series “ Treasury of Loyal Retainers (Chushingura)”*c. 1798/99) captures a moment from one of Japan's most beloved tales. This color woodblock print, an *oban* format measuring 38.1 × 25.3 cm, Utamaro's mastery in the ukiyo-e tradition—"pictures of the floating world"—which celebrated theater, beauty, and everyday life. As a leading artist of bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), Utamaro here turns his gaze to kabuki actors, rendering their expressive poses and elaborate costumes with exquisite detail. Th...
About the Artist
Kitagawa Utamaro · 1753–1806
Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753-1806) was one of the most celebrated masters of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, revolutionizing the art of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) during Japan's Edo period. Born Kitagawa Ichitaro, his early life remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting accounts placing his birth in Kyoto, Osaka, Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo), or Kawagoe in Musashi Province. Under the t...