Mekari, from the series "One Hundred No Dramas (Nogaku hyakuban)"

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, where Tsukioka Kôgyo's *Mekari*, from the series *One No Dramas (Nogaku hyakuban)* (1898/1903), captures the ethereal grace of classical Japanese Noh theater. Kôgyo, a master of ukiyo-e woodblock printing in the late Meiji era, dedicated this ambitious 100-print series to documenting iconic Noh plays, preserving their stylized poses, elaborate costumes, and masked performers amid Japan's rapid modernization. Printed in vibrant colors on a modest 37.8 × 25.6 cm sheet, *Mekari* exemplifies the woodblock technique's precision: intricate carving on multiple blocks layered inks to achieve luminous effects, evoking the drama's spiritual depth. Noh, a 14th-century art form blending dance, music, and poetry, explores themes of illusion and the supernatural—here, likely portraying the demoness of the play's title in a moment of haunting intensity. This print not only highlights Kôgyo's skill in freezing Noh's timeless rituals but also underscores woodblock's role in democratizing high culture, making elite performances accessible to everyday viewers during a transformative era. A window into Japan's artistic heritage!

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...