An Otsu-e artist and his painting subjects
1853
In this work, the preeminent print artist Kuniyoshi imagines his artistic forebear Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), also known as Ukiyo Matabei, or “Matabei of the Floating World,” in his studio. A crowd of his pictorial subjects, which include many of the most popular characters from Ōtsu-e, have come to life. They include demons, a monkey, the Wisteria Maiden, as well as Daikoku, the God of Good Fortune, who is shown shaving the head of Jurōjin, the God of Longevity.
Woodblock print
14 1/4 x 9 7/8 in. (36.2 x 25.08 cm)
Gift of Capt. D. W. Carpenter
53.141
Photo: Beth Mann
