Yamauba Watching Kintaro Wrestle a Boar

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant woodblock print *Yamauba Watching Kintaro Wrestle a Boar*, Kubo Shunman captures a dynamic moment from Japanese folklore. Kintaro, the legendary superhuman boy raised in the mountains, grapples fiercely with a massive boar, showcasing his prodigious strength. Perched nearby is Yamauba, the mountain ogress who nurtured him, her expression a mix of pride and amusement. This late 18th- or early 19th-century scene draws from tales popularized in kabuki theater and picture books, embodying the Edo period's fascination with heroic exploits and supernatural beings. Shunman, a master of ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world"), excelled in surimono—luxurious, privately commissioned prints often exchanged as New Year's greetings. Unlike mass-produced ukiyo-e, surimono like this 20.5 × 31.4 cm color woodblock featured intricate techniques such as embossing, mica dusting, and precise color layering, achieved through collaborative carving and printing processes. These elements lend the work a tactile richness and poetic elegance, reflecting Shunman's background as both artist and kyōka poet. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this print highlights surimono's cultural role in elite social circles, blending artistry with personal expression. It invites viewers to appreciate how everyday folklore fueled Japan's enduring print tradition, bridging myth and meticulous craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820