The artwork titled “Shikamatsu Kanroku Yukishige” was created by the renowned artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi around the year 1847. Executed in the medium of woodblock print, this piece belongs to the Ukiyo-e art movement and is an illustration genre work measuring 36.2 x 25.1 cm. It is part of the series “Stories of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai” and is currently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
The artwork depicts a samurai figure, adorned in traditional attire, gripping a long weapon, likely a spear. The samurai, Shikamatsu Kanroku Yukishige, is portrayed with resolute determination, his garments flowing dynamically around him. The print uses intricate lines and vivid colors characteristic of ukiyo-e, drawing attention to the texture and detail of the warrior’s clothing and the meticulousness of his expression. Accompanying the figure are elaborate kanji inscriptions, providing context and narrative to the illustration, enhancing its historical and cultural significance.
