Sugawara of the Tsuruya with Attendants Mumeno and Takeno

Art Historical Context

Chôbunsai Eishi's *Sugawara of the Tsuya with Attendants Mum and Takeno* (c. 1787) is a captivating color woodblock print from Japan's Edo period, capturing a theatrical or narrative scene likely inspired by kabuki drama or historical tales. Rendered in the popular oban format (38.4 × 25.8 cm), it features the figure of Sugawara—possibly referencing the legendary scholar Sugawara no Michizane—at the Tsuruya teah or inn, accompanied by attendants Mumeno and Takeno. Eishi's delicate lines and graceful compositions evoke the elegance of everyday encounters in the "floating world" of urban leisure. As a master of ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world"), Eishi specialized in bijin-ga (images of beautiful women) and yakusha-e (actor portraits), blending realism with poetic refinement during the late 18th century's print boom. This work exemplifies his transition from painting to woodblocks, showcasing the medium's collaborative artistry: carvers and printers layered vibrant hues using multiple blocks for a brocade-like effect, making art accessible to the masses. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print highlights ukiyo-e's cultural role in democratizing theater and folklore, immortalizing fleeting moments of drama and beauty that enthralled Edo audiences. A window into Japan's vibrant popular culture!

About the Artist

Chôbunsai Eishi · 1756–1829

Chôbunsai Eishi, born Hosoda Tokitomi in 1756 to a prosperous samurai family of the Fujiwara clan in Edo, inherited a substantial stipend of 500 koku of rice annually. His grandfather had served as the shogunate's Treasury Minister, and upon his father Hosoda Tokiyuki's death in 1772, Eishi became family head while holding a position in Shogun Tokugawa Ieharu's palace from 1781. Unusually for a uk...