Tale of the Bamboo Cutter by Kose no Omi (Kose no Omi ga Taketori monogatari), from the series "A Picture Contest for the Sono Poetry Circle (Sono-ren e-awase)"

Art Historical Context

Behold *Tale of the Bamboo Cutter by K no Omi (Kose no Omi ga Taketori monogatari)*, a delicate color woodblock print by Kub Shunman, created around 1804–1818. This intimate shikishiban-format surimono—measuring just 20 × 18.3 cm—captures a scene from Japan's ancient folktale *Taketori Monogat*, the world's oldest science fiction story, where a luminous princess emerges from a glowing bamboo stalk. Shunman, a master of ukiyo-e known for his poetic finesse, illustrates an imagined work by the Heian-era courtier Kose no Omi, blending legend with artistic homage. As part of the series *A Picture Contest for the Sono Poetry Circle (Sono-ren e-awase)*, this print reflects Edo-period Japan's vibrant literary culture. Surimono were luxurious, privately commissioned woodblock prints, often for elite poetry groups like the Sono-ren, featuring embossed textures, mica highlights, and subtle colors achieved through precise carving and multi-block printing. These square-format gems were New Year's greetings or contest entries, merging visual elegance with kyōka (witty verse), making art accessible yet exclusive. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, Shunman's work showcases the technical brilliance of woodblock printing—its layered pigments evoking moonlight and mystery—while celebrating timeless tales. A window into 19th-century Japan's refined aesthetic world, it invites you to ponder the enduring magic of bamboo-born wonders.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820