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Photo: Beth Mann
An Otsu-e artist and his painting subjects
Photo: Beth Mann

An Otsu-e artist and his painting subjects

Date1853
Maker Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, 1797-1861
Label TextIn 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.
Object number53.141
Photo CreditPhoto: Beth Mann
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Deities & Demons: Supernatural in Japanese Art, October 20, 2022 – May 18, 2025 (on view December 7, 2024 – May 18, 2025).
Credit LineGift of Capt. D. W. Carpenter
Dimensions14 1/4 x 9 7/8 in. (36.2 x 25.08 cm)
MediumWoodblock print
Sato Tadanobu on one knee, in armour, tying on one of his greaves
Sato Tadanobu on one knee, in armour, tying on one of his greaves
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
ca. 1843-44
Object number: 98.53.44
Photo: Beth Mann
Three women
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1840-53
Object number: 53.142
The Tamagawa actors of the Tamagawa Theatre
The Tamagawa actors of the Tamagawa Theatre
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1849-53
Object number: 98.53.31
Thirty-six Fashionable Restaurants in the Eastern Capital (Toto ryuko sanjuroku kaiseki: Suzaki)
Thirty-six Fashionable Restaurants in the Eastern Capital (Toto ryuko sanjuroku kaiseki: Suzaki)
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
December 1852
Object number: 98.53.42
Chujo Hime holding the two ends of a string game
Chujo Hime holding the two ends of a string game
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
ca. 1843
Object number: 98.53.43
Watanabe Tsuna seated in full court robes
Watanabe Tsuna seated in full court robes
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
ca. 1843-44
Object number: 98.53.45
Vesper bell at Nara
Vesper bell at Nara
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1847-48
Object number: 98.53.46
Autumn moon at Toba where Kesa-gozen was brought up
Autumn moon at Toba where Kesa-gozen was brought up
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1847-48
Object number: 98.53.47
The actor, Otaka Bungo
The actor, Otaka Bungo
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
ca. 1815
Object number: 98.53.48
Image Not Available for Yoshitsune’s ship is attacked by ghosts of the Taira warriors at Daimotsu Bay
Yoshitsune’s ship is attacked by ghosts of the Taira warriors at Daimotsu Bay
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
ca. 1851
Object number: 2014.19.2
Image Not Available for The Earth Spider conjures up demons at the mansion of Minamoto Yorimitsu
The Earth Spider conjures up demons at the mansion of Minamoto Yorimitsu
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
1843
Object number: 2014.19.3
Ishikawa goemon kamaude no ba, The bandit, Ishikawa Goemon, in his death pot
Ishikawa goemon kamaude no ba, The bandit, Ishikawa Goemon, in his death pot
Utagawa Kunisada II
1849-1853
Object number: 98.53.36