Bai Sheng (Hakujisso Hakusho), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
c. 1827/30
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban
Dimensions
39.3 × 26.9 cm (15 1/2 × 10 9/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
130712
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Step into the dynamic world of ukiyo-e with Utagawa Kuniyoshi *Bai Sheng (Hakujisso Hakusho)*, from his renowned series *One Hundred and Heroes of the Popular Water (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no h)*, created around 1827–30. This vibrant color woodblock print, in the large oban format (39.3 × 26.9 cm), captures one of the legendary outlaws the classic Chinese novel *Water Margin* (Suik in Japanese). Kuniyoshi, a master of the ukiyo-e "floating world" school, specialized in *musha-e*—warrior prints that brought these rebel heroes to life with dramatic flair, fueling a craze for Suikoden imagery in Edo-period Japan. The series celebrates the 108 bandit-heroes who defy corrupt officials, symbolizing loyalty, bravery, and anti-authoritarian spirit. Kuniyoshi's bold compositions, fierce expressions, and tattooed figures made these prints wildly popular, influencing everything from fashion to kabuki theater. Bai Sheng, depicted here as "Hakujisso" (White Rat), embodies the rogue charm of the group, his dynamic pose highlighting Kuniyoshi's skill in conveying motion and personality. Printed via intricate woodblock techniques—carved blocks inked with pigments and layered for rich color—this oban sheet was affordable art for the masses, revolutionizing visual storytelling. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, it invites you to ponder the timeless allure of these underdog legends.
About the Artist
Utagawa Kuniyoshi · 1797–1861
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was born in Edo to the silk-dyer Yanagiya Kichiyemon, originally bearing the childhood name Yoshisaburō. From a young age, he assisted in his family's pattern design work, which sharpened his innate mastery of color and textile motifs that would permeate his later prints. At around twelve years old, his prodigious drawing skills drew the attention of the renowned Utag...