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

Art Historical Context

**Chisho, from the "Pictures of No Perform (Nogaku Zue)"** Tsukioka Kôgyo (1869–1927), a master of late Meiji-era woodblock, created this striking color woodblock print in 1898 as part of his renowned *Nogaku Zue* series. Depicting a scene from the classic Noh *Chisho*, the artwork captures the ethereal drama of this traditional Japanese theater form, masked performers embody ghosts, warriors, and deities. Measuring about 25.2 × 37.4 cm, it exemplifies Kôgyo's dedication to preserving Noh's visual splendor amid Japan's rapid modernization during the Meiji period (1868–1912). Noh theater, refined by Zeami in the 14th century, is one of Japan's oldest performing arts, blending poetry, music, and dance in stylized, symbolic performances. Kôgyo's series, comprising over 250 prints, immortalized these elusive spectacles, making them accessible to a wider audience through affordable ukiyo-e techniques. The intricate carving and layering of color blocks produce vibrant costumes, haunting expressions, and dynamic poses, highlighting the print's role in bridging elite cultural traditions with popular art. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this piece invites visitors to appreciate how Kôgyo elevated woodblock printing into a medium for cultural heritage, offering a window into Japan's spiritual and artistic soul.

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...