Good and Evil Influences (Zendama akudama)

Art Historical Context

This color woodblock print from around 1795 was created by Eishosai Choki as the left panel of an oban triptych.itled *Good and Evil Influences (Zendama akudama)*, the work likely formed part of a larger narrative exploring moral themes popular in Edo-period Japan. Measuring just 36 by 24.4 centimeters, the print exemplifies the intimate scale of many ukiyo-e sheets designed for personal enjoyment or display in homes. Woodblock printing allowed artists like Choki to reach wide audiences with vibrant, multi-colored images. As the left sheet of a triptych, this piece would have connected visually and thematically with its missing center and right companions to tell a complete story. Such compositions often drew from theater, folklore, or everyday moral lessons, reflecting the cultural interests of late eighteenth-century urban Japan. Today, this print resides in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of Asia collection, where it offers visitors a glimpse into the sophisticated printmaking techniques and storytelling traditions of its time. The work’s modest size and bold design highlight the technical skill required to align colors across multiple blocks, a hallmark of the period’s artistic achievements.