Kuniyoshi: Comic Suikoden; Blowing Bubbles (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title:  Comic Suikoden; Blowing Bubbles 
Date: ca. 1830

Number Four from the series of ten that satirize the very popular Chinese Suikoden characters. We see a series of humorous vignettes that relate to the different Suikoden rebels. They are satirizing the characters in the Chinese novel Shuihu zhuan. Upper right we see a man blowing bubbles, much to the delight of two Chinese children. Upper left we see a sea turtle grabbing the loincloth of a tattooed man. Lower left we see a man throwing off his robes to reveal tattoos on much of his body. Middle left, an elderly Chinese man paints a lamp.It would take a scholar to parse out the stories and humor behind each scene, but we can appreciate Kuniyoshi’s full humor and creativity on display even without knowing the full stories.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition.
Publisher:  Yorozuya Kichibei
Series: Kyôga Suikoden goketsu ippyaku hachinin (Caricatures of the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden)  Size:  ôban 36.9 x 25.5 cm.
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga
Literature: Not in Robinson. See MFA website.

SKU: KUC222