Aoi no Ue, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)"

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of Japanese Noh theater with *Aoi no Ue*, a color woodblock print by Tsukioka Kôgyo from his renowned series *Pictures of Noances (Nogaku Z)*, created in 1898. This scene depicts a moment from the classic Noh *Aoi no Ue*, drawn from the 11th-century *Tale of Genji*. It portrays the tormented spirit of Lady Aoi, possessed by jealousy, in a dramatic tableau that freezes the ritualistic grace of Noh performers—complete with elaborate costumes, masks, and stylized poses. Kôgyo, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition in the late Meiji era, specialized in "shin-nōga" (new Noh pictures), bridging centuries-old theater with modern printmaking. The medium of color woodblock print, refined over Edo-period techniques, involved skilled carvers and printers layering vibrant pigments for luminous effects. At 25.2 × 37.4 cm, these affordable yet exquisite works brought Noh's intangible artistry to everyday viewers, preserving its cultural essence amid Japan's rapid Westernization. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print highlights Noh's enduring significance: a UNESCO-recognized intangible heritage blending poetry, music, and dance. Kôgyo's series, over 200 images strong, offers a visual archive of Japan's theatrical soul, inviting us to appreciate the harmony of form and emotion.

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...