Yashima, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)"

Art Historical Context

Step into the ethereal world of Japanese Noh theater with *Yashima*, a captivating color woodblock print by Tsukioka Kôgyo from his renowned series *Pictures of Noances (Nogaku Z)*, created in 1898. Kôgyo, a master of the late ukiyo-e tradition, in documenting the graceful, masked performances of Noh—one of Japan's oldest theatrical forms, dating back to the th century. This print a scene from the Noh play *Yashima*, likely evoking the dramatic tale of a ghostly warrior, blending supernatural elements with profound emotional depth. Printed during Japan's Meiji era, when Western influences were reshaping society, Kôgyo's work preserved the timeless elegance of Noh amid rapid modernization. The series immortalizes key moments and performers, making high art accessible through affordable woodblock prints. Measuring about 25.2 × 37.4 cm, this piece exemplifies the meticulous *nishiki-e* technique: multiple carved wooden blocks layered with vibrant pigments to achieve rich colors and subtle textures, from flowing robes to expressive masks. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, *Yashima* highlights woodblock prints' cultural role as both artistic innovation and historical record, inviting visitors to appreciate Noh's spiritual resonance and Kôgyo's skill in bridging tradition with visual poetry.

About the Artist

Tsukioka Kôgyo · 1869–1927

Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869–1927), born Hanyū Bennosuke in Tokyo's bustling Nihonbashi district as the second son of an innkeeper family, navigated a path from humble origins to mastery in Japanese printmaking. After his father's early death, he was raised by his mother's Sakamaki family and apprenticed in pottery painting under his uncle, a ceramics exporter in Yokohama. He briefly attended the Tokyo Sc...