A Popular Journey to the West

Maker(s)
Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 月岡芳年 (1839-1892)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, 1864
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 37 x 25.8 cm (14 9/16 x 10 3/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
The Anne van Biema Collection
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S2004.3.307
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Print
Type

Woodblock print

Keywords
Anne van Biema collection, Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, kabuki, king, monkey, mountain, oban, ukiyo-e, wave, wind
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

In an episode from the Chinese narrative Journey to the West, the monkey king, Sun Wukong, is tossed more than ten thousand li (approximately one-half kilometer) by wind from the fan of the female immortal, Luocha (Japanese, Rasatsu). She has rejected the monkey king's appeal for her help in extinguishing the blaze on Fiery Mountain, because Sun Wukong has recently killed her son. Yoshitoshi's print series, A Popular Journey to the West (Tsvzoku Saiyvki), reflects the influence of his teacher, Kuniyoshi, whose "popular" series based on the Chinese narrative, The Water Margin (Chinese, Shuihu zhuan; Japanese, Suikoden), established Kuniyoshi's reputation for imaginative illustrations of Chinese stories. The dynamic quality of this composition is intensified by the sweeps of dark lines representing the force of the wind and the agitated peaks of the waves below.

Published References
  • Ann Yonemura, Milo Cleveland Beach, The Honorable and Mrs. William Leonhart. Yokohama: Prints From 19th Century Japan. Exh. cat. Washington. cat. 99.
  • Ann Yonemura, et al. Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection. Seattle and Washington. cat. 99, pp. 254-255.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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