Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) Title: Rori Hakucho Chojun Ronin Warrior Size: (14.5 x 10in) Paper Type: Washie Rice Paper Medium: Woodblock printed from re-carved blocks Province: Japan Format: Horizontal Date: Showa Era Special Notes: One of the 108 Heroes of the popular Water Margin. Many of the heroes have elaborate and colorful tattoos on their bodies, and Chojun featured in this piece has a particularly impressive tattoo of a large snake. The entire piece is filled with a fierce tension, which is exquisitely balanced with the beauty of the intricately crafted decorations. Nicknamed “Suimonyaburi (Chō-jun breaking the watergates),” This work is known as a masterpiece of Kuniyoshi’s musha-e (ukiyo-e depicting warriors).

The print itself is in excellent condition very good color impression and has never been framed.