Kasuya Takenori, from the series "Parody of the Seven Spear-bearing Samurai of Yanagase (Ito no Yanagase shichihon yari ume)"

Art Historical Context

Kubo Shunman's *Kasuya Takenori, the series "Parody the Seven Spear-bearing Samurai of Yanagase"* (c. 1803/04) is a delightful example of Edo-period ukiyo-e. This narrow color woodblock print, known as a *junigiriban surono*, captures one figure from a legendary tale of seven samurai famed for their spear skills at Yanagase. Shunman, a versatile artist celebrated for his poetic prints, playfully reimagines the warrior Kasuya Takenori in a *mitate-e* style— a popular parody format that humorously blends historical heroes with contemporary kabuki actors or everyday motifs, adding wit to traditional lore. Printed on a slim 18.7 × 8.3 cm sheet, this *surimono* (luxury privately commissioned print) showcases advanced woodblock techniques: vibrant mica flecks, embossing, and precise color layering for a luminous effect. These intimate works were often New Year's gifts for poetry circles, blending art with haiku inscriptions (though not visible here). Shunman's mastery of delicate lines and subtle shading highlights his transition from painting to printmaking, elevating humble woodblocks to collector's treasures. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece reflects ukiyo-e's cultural zenith, where humor and heroism danced on paper, inviting viewers into Japan's vibrant floating world. A tiny portal to 19th-century wit!

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820