Untitled

Utagawa Yoshitora

1859, 2nd month · Woodblock print; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

This print illustrates a warrior of legendary bravery, Iwami Jūtarō, slaying a monstrous ape (hihi). The huge ape is carefully embossed on uncolored paper to reveal the texture of the animal's hair. In contrast to the white hair, the warrior in dark kimono, the black background, and the ape's red face and ear emphasize the creature's size and ferocity. Yoshitora, a pupil of Kuniyoshi, concentrated on his teacher's favorite subject matter in the early part of his career and focused on prints of foreigners in Yokohama and of foreign scenes (Yokohama-e) during the Meiji period.

Artist

Utagawa Yoshitora

Date

1859, 2nd month

Medium

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Arnold Weinstein Gift, 2001