Ryugu Tamatori Hime no su|Recovering the Stolen Jewel from the Palace of the Dragon King

Art Historical Context

This vibrant triptych by Utagawa Kuniy, created in 1853 during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), captures dramatic legend of Tamatori-hime, a pearl diver who boldly steals a magical jewel from the underwater palace of the Dragon Kingugu. Titled *Ryugu Tamatori H no su | Recovering the Stolen Jewel the Palace of the Dragon*, the woodblock print unfolds across three panels, each measuring about 14⅜ inches high, showcasing Kuniyoshi's mastery of ukiyo-e—the "pictures of the floating world" style that popularized dynamic scenes from myths, theater, and daily life. Kuniyoshi, a leading figure in late Edo printmaking, fills the composition with swirling waves, ferocious dragons, octopuses, turtles, fish, and frogs, immersing viewers in a chaotic underwater realm. The intricate ink and color on paper technique, achieved through collaborative woodblock carving and printing, allowed for bold lines, vivid hues, and meticulous details that bring the perilous chase to life. Tamatori-hime, the heroic female protagonist at the center, embodies tales of courage and sacrifice rooted in Japanese folklore. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this work highlights the cultural fascination with yokai (supernatural beings) and women's agency in legend, making it a thrilling window into 19th-century Japan's artistic innovation and storytelling tradition.

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...