Minori: Suzuki Saemon Shigeyuki, from the series "Japanese and Chinese Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji (Wakan nazorae Genji)"

Art Historical Context

**Minori: Suzuki Saemon Shigeyuki, from *Wakan nazorae Genji*** *Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1855* *Color woodblock print; oban* This vibrant woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi captures Suzuki Saemon Shigeyuki, a fierce 12th-century samurai, in the chapter "Minori" from his series *Japanese and Chinese Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji* (*Wakan nazorae Genji*). Produced in 1855 during Japan's late Edo period, the series ingeniously reimagines scenes from Murasaki Shikibu's 11th-century masterpiece *The Tale of Genji*—often called the world's first novel—by pairing its poetic chapters with dynamic figures from Japanese and Chinese history. Here, Shigeyuki's bold stance and dramatic pose evoke the emotional intensity of Genji's exile, blending literature with warrior lore. Kuniyoshi, a master of the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") tradition from the Utagawa school, was renowned for his expressive warriors, mythical beasts, and satirical edge. This oban-sized print (about 14 x 10 inches) showcases the artistry of color woodblock printing: intricate carving on multiple blocks for layered hues, from Shigeyuki's flowing robes in deep blues and reds to his determined gaze. Printed amid growing censorship, it reflects ukiyo-e's cultural role in democratizing art for everyday viewers. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this work highlights Genji's enduring influence, bridging Heian-era romance with samurai valor and East Asian traditions—a testament to Kuniyoshi's innovative storytelling through print.

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...