Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) (artist 11/15/1797 – 03/05/1861)
From the series Bravery Matched with the Twelve (Zodiac) Signs: (Buyū mitate jūnishi - 武勇見立十二支) Monkey (申) and Sun Wukong (孫悟空) - a modern edition
ca 2017
4.13 in x 11.15 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
The National Museum of Asian Art - original version
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - the original ca. 1840 print
Art Gallery of South Australia The original print by Kuniyoshi was published in ca. 1840.
"The zodiac sign of the monkey is represented by the Chinese monkey king Sun Wukong (Japanese, Son Gokv), one of the three followers of the Buddhist monk Yuan Zhuang in the Chinese novel, Journey to the West or Monkey (Chinese, Xiyou ji; Japanese, Saiyvki). The monk and his companions traveled to India in 629 to collect and study the sacred texts of Buddhism. Here the monkey transforms his fur into an army to battle his enemy the pig, who later becomes his closest companion on the pilgrimage. This print is from the first edition of the series."
The information above was taken directly from the online Freer/Sackler website and is listed as the "Label".
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 Shōichi (北村昇一) (carver)
Jūnishi (十二支 - 12 signs of the Zodiac) (genre)
Minatoya Kohei (湊屋小兵衛) (publisher)