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

Art Historical Context

Tsukioka Kôgyo’s *Hashi Benkei*, the series *Pictures of Performances (Nogakuue)*, captures a dramatic moment from the revered Noh play of the same name, likely depicting the legendary warrior monkkei on the Gojō Bridge confronting the young Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Created in 1898 during Japan’s Meiji era, color woodblock print exemplifies Kôgyo’s mastery in documenting the elegant, stylized world of Noh theater—a classical art form blending dance, music, and masked drama that dates back to the 14th century. Printed on a modest scale of approximately 25.2 × 37.4 cm, the work showcases the intricate techniques of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, where multiple carved wooden blocks were inked in vibrant hues and precisely layered to achieve rich colors and fine details. Kôgyo, a leading figure in shin-nōga (new Noh pictures), produced over 250 designs in this series, preserving Noh’s cultural essence amid rapid modernization. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of Asia department, *Hashi Benkei* highlights Noh’s enduring symbolism of loyalty, strength, and the supernatural, offering visitors a vivid window into Japan’s theatrical heritage. Its accessibility through printmaking made elite performances available to a wider audience, bridging tradition and innovation.

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...