The University of Alberta Art Collection — University of Alberta Museums

triptych
Iro Sannin Ryogoku Yugen
  • Object Name: triptych
  • Artist: Kunichika, Toyohara (Japanese, 1835-1900)
  • Date Made: 1865
  • Culture/Nationality: Japanese
  • Place Made: Japan
  • Materials: ink on paper; woodcut
  • Credit Line: Purchased by Museums and Collections Services
  • Accession No.: 2006.1.2
  • Description: An oban triptych that depicts a colourful threesome enjoying themselves by the Ryōgoku Bridge.

    This work depicts three men standing by the Ryōgoku Bridge in downtown Edo. This bridge is one of Tokyo's oldest and was likely built during the beginning of the Meiji era around 1858. Ryōgoku Bridge is a major centre in Japan and has a number of cafes and other local and tourist attractions built on the base of its Tokyo side. Being that this work was completed in the Meiji era it is likely a celebration of all the development occurring at the time and a praise to the modernization of the city. The print, while containing a new feature of urban Tokyo, also demonstrates Kunichika's skill in portraiture. The threesome depicted is conveyed as a group with elements that connect each panel of the triptych, but they are all independent which is communicated by their separate glances as well as their distinct fashions and accessories. This manages to capture their individual personality attributes and well as the way they engage one another and make an impression within such a busy hub.
  • Subject Terms: back, bridge, date, Edo (Tokyo), fan, group, Japanese text, kimono, man, Meiji, name of artist, publisher seal, river, Ryogoku Bridge, Sumida River, title of work, Ukiyo-e revival

Additional Information

Artist Biography
Kunichika, Toyohara (Japanese, 1835-1900)
Born in 1835, Toyohara Kunichika (born Oshima Yasohachi) grew up in the Kyobashi district of Edo amidst merchants and artisans, observing the area's cultural character. In 1848, at age 13, he was accepted as an apprentice into the studio of Kunisada (Toyokuni III, 1786-1865). During his years there, Kunichika's status grew and by the time of Kunisada's death, he was commissioned to produce several portraits of his late master. Kunichika's work stands in contrast to that of many of his contemporaries as he persistently held onto the traditional style and subject matter of the classic Japanese woodcut, unaffected by new Western forms of art. His enjoyment of kabuki theatre inspired him to depict actors in their various roles and highlight their striking facial expressions. He successfully integrated the use of modern aniline dyes imported from the West into his prints. This skillful use of colour and ability to translate the actor’s depth of emotion make his prints some of the most dramatic to ever be produced in Japan. Later on in his career, Kunichika turned primarily to the triptych format as the increased size gave him the space to fully portray the drama and action of the characters represented.
University of Alberta Museums University of Alberta

© 2013 Museums and Collections Services