Dong Yong (Toei), from the series "Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety as a Mirror for Children (Nijushiko doji kagami)"

Art Historical Context

Behold the captivating woodblock print *Dong Yong (Toei)* by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, created around 1843 as part of the series *-four Paragons of Filial Piety as a Mirror Children (Nijushiko doji kagami)*. This oban-sized color woodblock print (24 × 36.2 cm) depicts the legendary Chinese tale of Dong Yong, a son who sold himself into servitude to properly bury his late father—a timeless emblem of filial piety. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, it exemplifies Kuniyoshi's mastery in ukiyo-e, the "pictures of the floating world" genre that brought art to everyday Japanese viewers during the Edo period. Kuniyoshi, a leading figure in 19th-century Japanese printmaking, infused his works with dynamic energy and vivid storytelling, often drawing from history, folklore, and moral lessons. The series itself reflects Confucian values deeply embedded in Japanese culture, using these "paragons" as educational tools for children to instill virtues like loyalty and self-sacrifice. The oban format, a standard large sheet, made such prints affordable and widely accessible, transforming homes into personal galleries. Crafted through the labor-intensive woodblock process—where separate blocks were carved for each color and meticulously aligned—this print showcases Kuniyoshi's bold lines, rich hues, and dramatic compositions. It not only entertains but educates, inviting us to reflect on enduring family bonds across centuries.

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...