The artwork entitled “Okano Gin’emon Kanehide” was crafted by the renowned artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi around 1847-1848. This piece is a woodblock print, a hallmark of the Ukiyo-e art movement, and measures 36.8 by 25.8 centimeters. It is part of the “Stories of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai” series and currently resides in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The genre of this work is illustration.
The artwork features an intricately detailed depiction of a samurai figure, identified as Okano Gin’emon Kanehide. The samurai is adorned in a richly textured and colorful garment, notable for its complexity and the variety of patterns it displays. At the figure’s side, a sword is sheathed and ready, emphasizing the character’s readiness and martial status. The samurai’s garment combines geometric patterns with flora motifs, blending tradition and aesthetics significant to the Edo period. Above the figure, Japanese text is elegantly inscribed, contributing to the narrative and historical context of the piece. The use of bold lines and vibrant colors is characteristic of Kuniyoshi’s style, making the artwork a quintessential representation of the Ukiyo-e movement’s detailed craftsmanship and storytelling.
