Tanzi (Enshi), from the series "Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety in China (Morokoshi nijushiko)"

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of 19th-century Japanese ukiyo-e, Utagawa Kuniyoshi's *Tanzi (Enshi)* from the series *Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety in China (Morokoshi nijushiko)*, created around 1848–50, captures a timeless Confucian virtue. This color woodblock print in chuban format (a compact 25.2 × 17.7 cm) draws from ancient Chinese tales popularized in Japan during the Edo period. Tanzi, a devoted son, is depicted heroically shouldering his elderly, blind mother to safety amid chaos—likely fleeing rebels—embodying *xiao*, or filial piety, one of 24 exemplary stories that taught moral lessons across East Asia. Kuniyoshi, a master of the Utagawa school renowned for his dynamic warrior prints and fantastical scenes, infuses the composition with dramatic tension. Bold lines, vivid colors achieved through layered woodblock printing, and expressive figures highlight the emotional bond between parent and child. Chuban prints like this were affordable and widely circulated, making elite cultural narratives accessible to everyday viewers. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this work reflects Japan's fascination with Chinese lore amid tightening censorship, showcasing Kuniyoshi's skill in blending history, drama, and subtle social commentary. A poignant reminder of duty and resilience, it invites us to reflect on universal family ties.

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...