Bidspirit auction | Kuniyoshi Utagawa, Li Ying and

Kuniyoshi Utagawa, Li Ying and Mu Hong, Suikoden, Irezumi - Artist: Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1798-1861) Title: Striking Hawk Li Ying and Unrestrained Mu Hong Series: One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden Publisher: Kagaya Kichiemon Date: 1820s Size: 36.6 x 24.3 cm Condition: Trimmed, minor creases and pinholes, faint mount marks and spots. Kuniyoshi's commercial and artistic success came in 1827 with the series 'One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden'. Suikoden (Water Margin) is a 14th century Chinese novel about 108 rebels and heroic bandits, very popular in Japan in the Edo period. The characters were also outlaws and brigands, seen as men of honour who would rebel against bureaucracy, a Robin-Hood-like band that made the story of a revolutionary novel with implications resenting the authority of the time. Many Japanese novels imitating the Suikoden were dramatised as Kabuki plays or were portrayed in woodblock prints. Hakutencho Rio (Li Ying) and Bossharan Bokuko (Mu Hong) are seen here engaged in a fight against a future member of the Suikoden gang, Gyokukirin Roshungi (Lu Junyi, not pictured here). Rio's facial features express great rage, while Bokuko is shown with his back turned towards the viewer, drawing a sword from his scabbard. Bokuko's entire back is tattooed with an image of a dragon amidst waves. Ref: JG0421SWA04