Parody of the Armor-pulling Scene (Kusazuribiki), from the series "Fashionable Parodies of Bravery in Love (Furyu mitate iro-buyu)"
c. 1770/72
Medium
Color woodblock print; chuban
Dimensions
26.1 × 19.4 cm (10 1/4 × 7 5/8 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
89108
Art Historical Context
Isoda Koryūsai's *Parody of the Armor-pulling Scene (Kusazuribiki)*, from the series *Fashionable Parodies ofavery in Love (Fryū mitate iro-buyū)*, dates to around 1770–72, during Japan's vibrant Edo period. This color woodblock print playfully reimagines a dramatic scene from classical tales—likely the legendary feat of warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu stripping the armor from the demon Shuten-dōji—transforming it into a lighthearted lovers' tussle. Koryūsai, a master of ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world"), specialized in bijin-ga (images of beautiful women) and witty mitate parodies, ble...