Oniwakamaru subduing the giant carp
c. 1830/35
Medium
Color woodblock print; shikishiban diptych, surimono
Dimensions
21 × 36.9 cm (8 1/4 × 14 1/2 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
24889
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with *Oniwakamaru Subduing the Giant Carp a captivating color woodblock print by Totoya Hokkei (1780–1850), created around 1830–35. This shikishiban diptych—a pair of square-format sheets forming a single image—depicts the legendary hero Oniwakamaru, a youthful warrior from Japanese folklore inspired by the historical figure Watanabe no Tsuna. Here, he triumphs over a massive, thrashing carp in a dynamic scene blending myth and heroism, showcasing the era's fascination with kabuki theater and supernatural tales. As a *surimono*, this print was a...
About the Artist
Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850
Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...