Untitled

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

mid-19th century · Woodblock print; ink on thin paper · Asian Art

This extremely rare preparatory drawing presents the story of two brothers, Zhang Xiao and Zhang Li (J.: Chōkō and Chōrei). Li, while searching for nuts to feed his starving mother, was accosted by bandits. Imploring them to let him feed his mother before they killed him, he was permitted to return temporarily, only to have his brother Xiao intervene with the bandits and offer his own life instead. Profoundly moved, the bandits not only set the brothers free but also gave them food.

Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Date

mid-19th century

Medium

Woodblock print; ink on thin paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1939