Wood: Lu Zhishen (Moku, Rochishin), from the series "The Five Elements of The Water Margin (Suiko gogyo)"
Totoya Hokkei
early 1830s
Medium
Color woodblock print; shikishiban, surimono
Dimensions
21.2 × 18.2 cm (8 3/8 × 7 3/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
81114
About the Artist
Totoya Hokkei · 1780–1850
Totoya Hokkei (魚屋 北渓, 1780–1850), born Iwakubo Tatsuyuki in Edo (modern Tokyo), began his life as a humble fishmonger in the Yotsuya Samegahashi district, a trade reflected in his art name "Totoya," meaning fish shop. He transitioned to art through rigorous training, first studying under Kanō Yōsen'in Korenobu, head of the Kobikichō branch of the prestigious Kanō school, where he honed landscape p...