Adachi, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)"

Art Historical Context

Step into the graceful world of Japanese Noh theater with *Adachi*, a stunning color woodblock print by Tsukioka Kôgyo from his renowned series *Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Z)*, created in 1898. Kôgyo, a master of the Meiji-erakiyo-e tradition, captured the ethereal essence of Noh—one of Japan's oldest dramatic arts, dating back to the th century. This print depicts a scene from the Noh play *Adachi showcasing a masked actor in flowing robes, frozen in a dramatic pose that embodies the genre's stylized elegance and spiritual depth. Printed on a modest sheet measuring about 25.2 × 37.4 cm, the work exemplifies the intricate techniques of woodblock printing: multiple carved blocks layered with vibrant pigments to achieve subtle gradients and rich textures in costumes and backgrounds. During Japan's rapid modernization in the late 19th century, Kôgyo's series preserved vanishing performance traditions, serving as both artistic treasures and historical documents of celebrated actors and plays. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, *Adachi* invites visitors to appreciate Noh's cultural legacy—a UNESCO-recognized intangible heritage blending poetry, music, and dance. It's a window into a timeless ritual where every gesture tells a profound story.

About the Artist

Tsukioka Kôgyo · 1869–1927

Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869–1927), born Hanyū Bennosuke in Tokyo's bustling Nihonbashi district as the second son of an innkeeper family, navigated a path from humble origins to mastery in Japanese printmaking. After his father's early death, he was raised by his mother's Sakamaki family and apprenticed in pottery painting under his uncle, a ceramics exporter in Yokohama. He briefly attended the Tokyo Sc...