Banner Depicting Kintaro Battling Bears
18th century
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print
Dimensions
164 × 76 cm (64 5/8 × 29 15/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
207204
Art Historical Context
This vibrant 18th-century hand-colored woodblock print, titled *Banner Depicting Kintaro Battling Bears*, captures a dynamic moment from Japanese folklore. Towering at over five feet tall (164 × 76 cm), it portrays the legendary boy hero Kintaro—known as the "Golden Boy"—wrestling fierce bears with superhuman strength. Produced during Japan's Edo period, this oversized banner likely served as a festival display or shop sign, showcasing the era's popular ukiyo-e tradition of "pictures of the floating world," which celebrated heroic tales and everyday spectacles. Kintaro, a folk hero symbolizin...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...