Fire: Song Jiangming (Ka, Sokomei), from the Series "Shuihuzhuan Heroes for the Five Elements (Suiko gogyo)"

Art Historical Context

**Fire: Song JiangmingKa, Sokomei), from the "Shuihuzh Heroes for the Five Elements (Suiko gogyo)"** Created by Totoya Hokkei in the early 1830s, this intimate color woodblock print is exquisite *surimono*—a deluxe privately commissioned format popular in-period Japan. Measuring just21.2 × cm, it captures Songming (known in Japanese Ka, Sokomei), a heroic figure from the classic Chinese *Shuihuzhuan* (Water Margin or *Suikoden*). As part of Hokkei's series *Suiko gogyo*, the print assigns outlaws from the tale to the five elements, with this work embodying "Fire," symbolizing passion, transformation, and unyielding spirit. Hokkei, a master ukiyo-e printmaker and poet (1791–1848), drew from the novel's tales of 108 Liangshan rebels defying corrupt authority, a motif that captivated Japanese audiences during the 1820s–1830s *Suikoden* boom. *Surimono* like this one were often made for New Year's or poetry gatherings, featuring lush colors, metallic pigments, and subtle embossing for tactile elegance, elevating them beyond commercial ukiyo-e. This piece reflects Japan's fascination with Chinese lore, blending warrior valor with elemental philosophy from Daoism. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, it showcases Hokkei's precise carving and vibrant palette, inviting viewers to ponder the fiery resolve of a legendary leader in a format that once delighted literati circles.

About the Artist

Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850

Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...