Kasuya Takenori, from the series "Parody of the Seven Spear-bearing Samurai of Yanagase (Ito no Yanagase shichihon yari ume)"
c. 1803/04
Medium
Color woodblock print; junigiriban, surimono
Dimensions
18.7 × 8.3 cm (7 3/8 × 3 5/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
60695
Art Historical Context
Kubo Shunman's *Kasuya Takenori, the series "Parody the Seven Spear-bearing Samurai of Yanagase"* (c. 1803/04) is a delightful example of Edo-period ukiyo-e. This narrow color woodblock print, known as a *junigiriban surono*, captures one figure from a legendary tale of seven samurai famed for their spear skills at Yanagase. Shunman, a versatile artist celebrated for his poetic prints, playfully reimagines the warrior Kasuya Takenori in a *mitate-e* style— a popular parody format that humorously blends historical heroes with contemporary kabuki actors or everyday motifs, adding wit to traditio...
About the Artist
Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820
Japanese, 1757–1820