Kuniyoshi: The Wrath of Raigo Ajari, Rat (Sold)

  • Sold.

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title: The Wrath of Raigo Ajari, Rat
Series:  Brave Warriors for the Chinese Twelve Animal Zodiac (Buyu mitate junishi)
Date: c. 1840s

Raigô Ajari at the Onjôji Monastery in Otsu, turning Buddhist scripture into rats in his disappointment at the Emperor’s disfavor. Ôye no Mafusa, the Emperor’s envoy, looks on in dismay. Raigo’s robe has been printed with an orange that contains lead, so we see the oxidation of the pigment in areas, as intended. Incense smoke wafts behind the scene.

Condition:  Very good impression, color and condition.
Publisher:  Minatoya Kohei (Kinseido)

Literature: Robinson S17.1. Mueller, Laura. "Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School." Leiden, The Netherlands: Hotei Publishing, 2007. Page Number: p. 130. Figure Number: no. 103

Bennett, James. The Golden Journey: Japanese Art from Australian Collections. Adelaide, Australia: Art Gallery of South Australia, 2009. Page Number: p. 212. See Chazen Van Vleck collection.

Signature: Ichiryusai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUC209