From the series Bravery Matched with the Twelve (Zodiac) Signs: (<i>Buyū mitate jūnishi</i> - 武勇見立十二支) Dog (戌) and Hata Rokurozaemon  (畑六郎左衛門)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) (artist 01/01/1797 – 04/14/1861)

From the series Bravery Matched with the Twelve (Zodiac) Signs: (Buyū mitate jūnishi - 武勇見立十二支) Dog (戌) and Hata Rokurozaemon (畑六郎左衛門)

Print


ca 2017
4 in x 11.4 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock pirnt
The National Museum of Asian Art - original version
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - the original ca. 1840 print
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - the original set

The original print designed by Kuniyoshi was published in ca. 1840.

The zodiac sign of the dog is represented as a companion to a vassal of the warrior Nitta Yoshida (1301-1338). Above the cloud in the distance are the flags and standards of an army, whose presence signals an impending battle.

This example was carved and printed ca 2017 by master carver, Kitamura Shoichi. The fine printing combines graded color in a dynamic, swirling composition of exceptional artistry.
Kitamura Shoichi (北村昇一) (carver)
Jūnishi (十二支 - 12 signs of the Zodiac) (genre)
Minatoya Kohei (湊屋小兵衛) (publisher)