Posted by Japanese art on August 03, 1998 at 15:28:27:
In Reply to: Re: Kuniyoshi Red Print (Aka-e) posted by M. R. O'Clair on July 27, 1998 at 00:33:57:
: : : : : I am looking for illustrations of any Kuniyoshi red prints in books on Ukiyo-e. I have a red print of Tometomo and am interested in any other examples in the literature. Any information is appreciated.
: : : : RESPONSE from JF: A typical subject found in aka-e was the figure of Shôki the Demon Queller (Zhong Kui in Chinese), whose red-prints were used as talismans against smallpox. There were also akabon or "red books" given to small pox patients (although the term also referred to children’s books popular around 1675-1735). Kuniyoshi designed one aka-e depicting Shôki. It was printed in the hosoban format (330 x 145 mm). An impression is illustrated (plate 191, p. 115) in the exhibition catalog Masterpieces of Ukiyo-e from the Rietberg Museum Zurich (Edited by Nara Prefectural Museum of Art and published by Nara Prefecture, 1993; 175pp). There is also a large (425 x 545 mm) surimono in colors by Kuniyoshi celebrating the Boy’s Festival in 1849 and designed to commemorate the actor Danjûrô VIII, which depicts a large paper carp behind a banner portraying Shôki whose figure is printed mostly in red (just some black outlines to the eyes and mouth a, a little blue highlighting to the eyes, and black for the artist’s signature), likely meant to represent an aka-e banner. It is illustrated as plate 199 on p. 182 in Schaap, R., Heroes & Ghosts: Japanese Prints by Kuniyoshi (Hotei Publishing, Leiden, 1998; 279pp).
: : : Response from MRO: Thank you for the information. There is a catalog of small pox prints, and other prints related to illness, which was published in Japan by the Machida City Museum in 1996. It contains a wide variety of red prints depicting various subjects. Do you know of any English language studies on Aka-e in general? I would be interested in reading more about the subject. Thank you.
: : MRO: Thank you for your reply. I cannot identify an English language study about aka-e although I vaguely recall seeing something of value a few years ago. If I find it I’ll let you know. The Machida catalog on smallpox prints sounds interesting - could you tell me the title and the author(s)/editor(s)? Do you know the 1987 inaugural catalog for the opening of the Machida ("Masterpieces of Japanese Prints – From the Origin to the Emergence of Nishiki-e" exhibition, 432pp with b/w482 illus)? Mostly in Japanese, though there is a brief introduction in English plus 16pp. of English captions for the illustrations.
: : Response from MRO The title is, in translation, "Diseases and prayers as seen in brocade prints: smallpox, Rubbeola and Cholera". It was published by The Machida City Museum in 1996. For what it's worth, I purchased my copy from Ukiyo-e Books. (Catalog 15, Item 206). If you need more bibliographical information send your address to oclair@sohalang.com and I will send you a xerox of the information from the book. I have not seen the earlier Machida Catalog. I will keep an eye out for it. It sounds like something worth finding. Let me know if you determine what the material on red prints was. Thanks again for the response.