The artwork, titled “Kaida Yadaemon Tomonobu,” is a woodblock print created by the esteemed artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi around the years 1847 to 1848. This piece belongs to the art movement known as Ukiyo-e and measures 36.3 x 22 cm. It falls under the genres of illustration and genre painting and is part of the series “Stories of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai.” This work is currently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
The artwork exemplifies the Ukiyo-e style with its vivid colors and intricate detailing. It depicts a samurai figure, dynamically posed, enveloped in traditional attire, and adorned with armor. A background of Japanese text accompanies the figure, adding narrative to the visual representation. The samurai holds a bow in one hand and a long feathered arrow in the other, embodying readiness and vigilance. The balance between the powerful stance of the figure and the delicate patterns on the garment illustrates the duality of strength and elegance typical of Kuniyoshi’s work. The large, ornate banner beside the samurai, featuring a recurring motif, enhances the composition’s richness and depth, aligning with the historical and cultural themes of loyalty and valor among samurai warriors.
