Scene with Tiger

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) was a master of ukiyo-e from the Utagawa school, regarded as the most famous and powerful style of the 19th century. He made a name for himself by creating warrior prints with unique twists such as adding original tattoos and ghostly, dream-like elements. Though most known for his warrior subjects he also produced works of many genres including bijin-ga beauties, animals, kabuki actors and landscapes. This print is from a series illustrating the twenty-four paragons of filial piety as described in a classic Chinese Confucian text.