Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni III (三代豊国) (artist 1786 – 01/12/1865)
Shōki astride a lion
05/1854
9.875 in x 14.5 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Signed: Hanabusa Itchō kō Toyokuni hitsu
英一蝶考豊国筆
Publisher: Kiya Sōjirō (Marks 252 - seal 26-143)
Censor's seal: aratame
Date seal: 1854, 5th month
Carver: Hori (something - as yet unread)
Clearly this print from 1854 by Toyokuni III is meant as a tribute to one of his major inspirations, Hanabusa Itchō (1652-1724). The whole image has been carved in such a way as to mimic the painter's brush. Even the carver's name in the lower right is presented in a wholly unconventional way.
The Kunisada print that appears on this page does have a close model in a hanging scroll attributed to Itchō. In both the woodblock print and the painting Shōki the Demon Queller is riding a lion that displays a rather dramatic and unruly mane. There is humor to be found in both examples.
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Shōki (鍾馗) is the Japanese name of Zhong Kui, the demon or plague-queller.
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Kunisada's connection with the works of Hanabusa Itchō
Kunisada was bothered by not being given the name Toyokuni II, after the death of his master Toyokuni I. That honor went to his master's son-in-law. "Disappointed at being passed over, Kunisada evidently decided to try something new. He began to study under Hanabusa Ikkei (1749-1844), fourth-generation head of the Hanabusa school. The name Kōchōrō, which Kunisada introduced into his signature in 1825, takes the character chō (butterfly) from Itchō, the name of the founder of the Hanabusa school."
Quoted from: Kunisada's World by Sebastian Izzard, p. 127.
Kiya Sōjirō (木屋宗次郎) (publisher)
mitate-e (見立て絵) (genre)
Shōki (鍾馗), the Demon Queller (role)