Thirty Six Immortal Poets' Cards (1)

Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Tokyo, Japan, 1786 - 1865)

Date1853

Mediumcoloured woodcut on paper

ClassificationsPrints

DimensionsPlate Size: Height: 36.6 cm, Width: 25 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1955 by Miss Hogarty.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG008491

Keywords

Japanese

About MeThis is one of a series of four prints which together depict a group of thirty six contemporary actors. Aberdeen Art Gallery owns three of the four prints.

These prints were made as a parody of the 'thirty six immortal poets' who were selected for a famous anthology of poetry in the eleventh century.
In 1842 the government prohibited luxurious prints in order to encourage morality in the society, and restricted colours and themes of ukiyo-e. When this colourful and lavish print was published these regulations were already relaxed. However the title of 'Immortal poets' reflects the fact that the regulations caused artists to make portraits of actors with the format of national hero or 'thirty six immortal poets' in order to turn censor's eyes off.

Signature: Toyokuni