The artwork, titled “Oribe Yasubei Taketsune,” is a woodblock print created by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. It dates from circa 1847 to circa 1848 and is part of the Ukiyo-e art movement. Comprised within the series “Stories of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai,” the print stands at dimensions of 36.8 by 26 centimeters. This illustrative piece is currently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
In this composition, the artist masterfully captures a samurai in a dynamic pose, exuding a sense of readiness and determination. The samurai is dressed in traditional attire, wielding a weapon and set against a background filled with intricate calligraphic text. The vivid colors and bold lines typical of Ukiyo-e prints are evident, combined with a meticulous attention to detail in both the figure’s attire and expression, indicating his readiness for action. The integration of text and imagery is characteristic of Kuniyoshi’s work, blending narrative and visual art seamlessly.
