Sima Guang and Shibata Katsuie, from the series "Five Sibling Pictures of China and Japan for the Zakurogaki Group (Zakurogaki-ren goban no uchi wakan e-kyodai)"

Art Historical Context

Katsushika Hokus, the legendary Japanese artist renowned for his ukiyo-e woodblock prints like *The Great Wave off Kawa*, created *Sima Guang and Shib Katsuie* in 1821. This color woodblock print belongs to the series *Fiveibling Pictures of China and for the Zakurog Group* (Zakurogaki-ren goban nochi wakan e-kyodai). Produced as a *shikishiban* surimono—a square-format (20.9 × 18.5 cm) luxury print commissioned for private poetry circles—the work exemplifies Hokusai's mastery during the Edo period, blending whimsy with cultural reverence. The print pairs Sima Guang, a revered 11th-century Chinese Song dynasty scholar and statesman known for his historical chronicles, with Shibata Katsuie, a fierce 16th-century Japanese samurai from the Sengoku era famous for his loyalty in battle. As part of the "sibling" series, it playfully draws parallels between these historical figures from China (*wa-kan*) and Japan, celebrating shared virtues like wisdom and valor. Such surimono were often gifted among literati groups like the Zakurogaki poetry circle, featuring subtle poems or calligraphy amid vibrant imagery. Hokusai's precise carving and layering of colors showcase woodblock techniques like *bokashi* (gradation) and metallic pigments, lending a tactile elegance suited to connoisseurs. Held in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print highlights ukiyo-e's role in bridging East Asian histories, inviting viewers to ponder timeless human parallels through Hokusai's dynamic compositions.

About the Artist

Katsushika Hokusai · 1760–1849

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) stands as one of history's most influential artists, a Japanese master who revolutionized the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition and profoundly shaped Western art. Born in the Katsushika district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to an artisan family, Hokusai lived through nearly nine decades of extraordinary creative evolution, adopting over thirty different artistic names t...