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The Faithful Samurai: Kuniyoshi Woodblock Prints
Yata Goroemon [Yada Goroemon]
This traveling exhibition illustrates one of the most famous stories of
revenge in Japanese history, outlining the exploits of the courageous 47
Ronin samurai who avenged the death of their master in the
early eighteenth century. Their story, the Chushingura, or
"Treasury of Loyal Hearts," illustrates and defines the Japanese concept
of loyalty, providing a supreme example of the samurai ideals of
courage, commitment and sacrifice. The exhibition tells this tale
through stunning triptychs, warrior prints, and bust portraits by the
Japanese printmaker Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861).
Kuniyoshi is the artist most closely associated with
the visual history of this samurai legend. Kuniyoshi, who began his
career as a textile-dyer, became obsessed with the Chushingura.
Similar to other artists of his day, Kuniyoshi mixed the traditional
genre of the warrior print with the visual conventions of the kabuki
stage. Three of Kuniyoshi's print series have been chosen for this
exhibit. The first series features full-length action portraits of the
individual Ronin heroes. The second series depicts the
sacrifices
and
struggles of family members and friends left behind after the tragic
events unfolded. The final series presents twelve surprisingly
western-style bust portraits of selected Ronin heroes. Throughout his
career, Kuniyoshi, an artist whose work portrayed Japanese history and
legend, produced more than 1,600 single-sheet prints and 360 triptychs.
Of these works, 12 series and 20 triptychs are devoted to the
Chushingura.
In addition to the Kuniyoshi woodblock prints, visitors to The Faithful
Samurai exhibition experienced an array of artifacts, swords, and
costumes. They also enjoyed a display on the techniques of woodblock
printing and a description of the Japanese print tradition.
Also see the related exhibition, Iona Rozeal Brown
Visit our Exhibition History page for information
on past exhibitions at UAMA.
UAMA: (520) 621-7567
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