Lu Ji (Riku Seki), from the series "Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety in China (Morokoshi nijushiko)"

Art Historical Context

This vibrant color woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition, depicts *Lu Ji (Riku Seki)* from his series *Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety in China (Morokoshi nijushiko)*, created around 1848–50. Kuniyoshi, renowned for his dynamic warrior prints and imaginative historical scenes, here turns to Confucian moral tales popular in Edo-period Japan (1603–1868). The chuban format—compact at 25.2 × 17.8 cm—made these affordable prints ideal for widespread distribution, bringing ethical stories to everyday viewers. The series illustrates 24 legendary Chinese figures exemplifying *xiao*, or filial piety, a core Confucian virtue emphasizing devotion to parents. Lu Ji's story highlights extreme self-sacrifice, resonating with Japanese audiences amid a culture valuing family loyalty and social harmony. Kuniyoshi's expressive style shines through bold lines, vivid colors from layered woodblocks, and dramatic poses, blending realism with theatrical flair typical of the Utagawa school. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print showcases woodblock printing's technical marvel: intricate carving and precise color registration capturing emotion and narrative in a single glance. A window into 19th-century popular culture, it reminds us how art educated and inspired moral reflection.

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...