Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi

Making Rare Scrolls in The Otsu-E Manner (Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono)

Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi's original Japanese woodcut, "Making Rare Scrolls in The Otsu-E Manner (Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono)" is printed upon mid-nineteenth century mulberry paper and with full margins as published by Minatoya Kohei in 1848. It is signed 'Kuniyoshi ga' in both left and right panels. "Making Rare Scrolls in The Otsu-E Manner (Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono)" is important for several reasons. Firstly, Kuniyoshi's compositions which are springing to life from his scrolls are representations of 'Otsu-e' painting, a famous form of folk art produced in the Otsu region, near Kyoto. More important, however, is the depiction of the artist creating these characters -- none other than Kuniyoshi himself, accompanied by one of his beloved cats. Kuniyoshi is known to have made only a handful of self-portraits during his life. Altogether, then, this is a valuable composition from the hands of one of Japan's greatest artists.

Making Rare Scrolls in The Otsu-E Manner (Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono)

View other original Japanese works of art by Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi

Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi (Japan, 1798 - 1861)
#	Image	Title & Artist	Medium	Date	Notes	-
01-		Paulownia Court: Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji (Kiritsubo:Buyu nazoraye Genji), Takenouchi no Sukune carrying Emperor Ojin by Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi	Original Woodcut (Hosoban)	c. 1844 - 1847	Published by Ibaya Senzaburo
02.-		Flowers: Snow, Moon and Flowers in Children's Games (Osana asobi sekkwagetsu no uchi) by Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi	Original Woodcut (Oban)	c. 1840 - 1850	Published by Nunoyoshikichi (Nunokichi)
03.-		Earth: Tsuchi (Prince Genji Looking at The Garden Through His Window) from the Mitate go gyo by Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi	Original Woodcut (Oban)	c. 1850	Published by Sanoya Kihei (Sano-ya Kihei)	Sold
04.-		Full Length Portrait of Guan Yu (Revered Chinese General) School of Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi	Original Pen and Ink Drawing (Hanshita)	c. 1850 - 1860
05.-		Portrait of Zhuge Liang (Famous Chinese Statesman & Military Tactician) School of Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi	Original Pen and Ink Drawing (Hanshita)	c. 1850 - 1860
06.-		Making Rare Scrolls in The Otsu-E Manner (Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono) by Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi	Original Woodcut (Diptych)	1848	Published by Minatoya Kohei, Kinsendo
07.-		Portrait of A Warrior by Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi	Original Woodcut (Oban)	c. 1851 - 1853		Sold
08.-		The Battle of Kurikara-dani - Series: Hokkuku O-Kassen (Two Warriors in Combat) by Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi	Original Woodcut (Oban)	c. 1852	Published by Hayashiya Shogoro	Sold

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Title:	Making Rare Scrolls in The Otsu-E Manner (Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono)
Artist:	Kuniyoshi, Ichiyasai (Japan, 1798 - 1861)
Date:	1848
Medium:	Original Japanese Woodcut
Publisher:	Minatoya Kohei, Kinsendo
Note:	"Kuniyoshi was a master of many facets but in the fields of legend and history he reigns supreme. His is the work that forms the yardstick against which all others are judged." *
	Mid nineteenth century Ukiyo-e art is best represented in its three most illustrious artists. The woodcuts of Hokusai and Hiroshige are permanently linked to the greatest images in Japanese landscape art. Yet the third master artist, Kuniyoshi, was equally adept at landscape, satire and in his famous legend and warrior prints, of which this is a classic example.
	A student of Toyokuni, Kuniyoshi in his art has always seemed more akin to Western thought and style than any other Golden Age Japanese master. He was, after all, the first to attempt consolidating Western temperament and themes into his art, usually with remarkable success.
	Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi's finest art was created from the 1830's and into the later years of the 1850's. After that date continuing ill health left its mark. His most famous works draw from legend and history which gave him the imaginative vehicle to portray a vast spectrum of human emotions. His influence on the course of the Japanese woodcut was enormous and was directly passed on in the Meiji era to his best student, Yoshitoshi.
	Making Rare Scrolls in The Otsu-E Manner (Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono) is important for several reasons. Firstly, Kuniyoshi's compositions which are springing to life from his scrolls are representations of 'Otsu-e' painting, a famous form of folk art produced in the Otsu region, near Kyoto. More important, however, is the depiction of the artist creating these characters -- none other than Kuniyoshi himself, accompanied by one of his beloved cats.
	Kuniyoshi seems to have been exceptionally fond of cats as he created many wonderful woodcuts with depictions of cats, even the paulownia flower seal (seen here), Kuniyoshi uses below his signature is similar to that of a paw print. In Making Rare Scrolls, Kuniyoshi depicts himself, accompanied by one of his beloved cats. The British Museum of Art, London includes an impression of Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono in its permanent collection, Registration nujumber: 2008,3037.21002. The title in English given by the museum is (Otsu Pictures for the Times: Rare Thing Your've Been Waiting For).
	These two original oban sized woodcuts entitled, "Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono" are the left and center panels of a triptych (set of three), published by Minatoya Kohei in 1848. In the left panel, Kuniyoshi inscludes his self portrait surrounded by his artwork and painting materials with his cat by his side. Both panels depict warriors and samurai possibly form kabuki plays, as well as creatures from Japanese folklore, such as the the horned demons, and other apparitions commonly known in Japan as Oni and Yokai, sometimes spelled (Youkai).
	The 'Oni' are icons of Japanese folklore and mythology that now belong to the group of monsters known as 'Yokai'. However, the word, 'Oni' was originally used to describe most Japanese monsters as there was no clear definition for this phenomenon. They were represented as (demons, fiends, ogres, goblins, manifestations, evil spirits, etc.). According to legend, Oni are the human spirits or the souls of those who were so malignant they ended up in Buddhist hell, the hideous servants of the ruler and master of the netherworld. Today, the term Oni generally refers to a specific category of male demons which are commonly represented as gruesome horned creatures. Most often than not, they are considered to be dim-witted, spiteful, cruel and very fond of vulgar humor. Most believe they are wicked, and, or bad omens, however, there are those who believe that they can bring prosperity, good health or both.
	Old Japanese tales mention that some ordinary cats, with age, can belong to the family of Yokai (a general term for Japanese monsters). These cats are called 'Bakeneko', 'Nekomata', or 'Kasha'. Only the oldest and largest cats with the longest tails can become the feared, man eating, double or fork tailed cat monsters (Nekomata). The 'Kasha'. is believed to be a corps robber, but not to worry, the Kasha only steals the dead who in life have committed evil deeds of cruelty, wickedness and or debauchery, but thankfully, there are special tricks to protect your corpse from its claws. The Bakeneko also belongs another sub-group of Yokai known as 'Henge, Changelings or Shape Shifters', and can assume human form. The Bakeneko has often been portrayed by ukiyo-e artists of the edo period and in kabuki plays as a giant cat, ordinary cats wearing kimonos and cats disguised as beautiful women. There are countless stories surrounding these creatures and many are associated with women of ill repute. Although Bakeneko are believed to bring good fortune, some fear they are sinister creatures that should be avoided. However, Kunyoshi was very fond of cats, and as as mentioned above, even the paulownia flower seal he uses below his signature is similar to that of a paw print.
Reference:	* Richard Illing, The Art of Japanese Prints, Gallery Books, New York, 1983, pp. 120-122.
Size:	Oban (Diptych) (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Framed and Matted with 100% Archival Materials
	View larger Framed Image

Buy Now	Price: $950.00 US
Condition:	Making Rare Scrolls in The Otsu-E Manner (Toki ni otsu-e kitai no maremono) has been printed on mid-nineteenth century Japanese mulberry paper and with full margins as originally published. There is slight paper thinning and creasing, else in fine condition throughout with strong, early coloring. The artist, drawing the Otsu-e characters to life, is none other than Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi himself, accompanied by one of his beloved cats. These are the left and middle panels of a triptych.
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