Shiga, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)"

Art Historical Context

Tsukioka Kôgyo (1869–1927), a master of Japanese woodblock printing during the Meiji era, *Shiga, from the "Pictures of No Perform (Nogaku Zue)"* in 1898. This vibrant color woodblock print captures a dramatic moment from Noh theater, featuring the fierce demon Shiga—a character from the classic play *Shiga* in the Noh repertoire. Kôo's series, comprising over 200 prints, meticulously documents the stylized poses, elaborate costumes, and masks of Noh performers, preserving this ancient art form amid Japan's rapid modernization. Printed on a modest scale (approx. 25.2 × 37.4 cm), the work exemplifies the ukiyo-e tradition's technical brilliance: multiple carved wooden blocks were inked in precise colors and layered to achieve rich, luminous effects. Kôgyo, trained in both Western and traditional Japanese styles, infused his prints with dynamic composition and subtle shading, bridging old and new aesthetics. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this piece highlights Noh's cultural enduring legacy—a UNESCO-recognized intangible heritage blending dance, music, and poetry since the 14th century. For visitors, it offers a window into Japan's theatrical soul, where every gesture tells an epic tale.

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...