Priest Mongaku Doing Penance

by Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Current Status

Priest Mongaku Doing Penance by Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Original Kunichika (1835 - 1900) Japanese Woodblock Print
Priest Mongaku Doing Penance

Osaka Prints - Produced in the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kyoto, Osaka prints or kamigata-e are instantly distinguishable from typical Edo ukiyo-e. A major difference is the choice of subject matter. Osaka prints were nearly always portraits of actors or kabuki scenes. In contrast, Edo print subjects included beauties, landscapes, nature scenes, warriors, and historic events, in addition to kabuki.

Distinctly different artistic styles also emerged in Edo and Osaka in the 18th and 19th century, resulting in certain recognizable characteristics for each area. Osaka prints feature more subtle, serious figures, reflecting the wagoto or soft style of acting prevalent in the area, along with distinctive facial expressions. The aragato or brash manner of acting popular in Edo influenced print designs towards bolder images of heroism and military prowess.

Much like the style of the prints, the demand for ukiyo-e in the cities of Osaka and Edo also varied. Osaka produced far fewer ukiyo-e designs than Edo did. As a consequence, Osaka prints are rarer and also some of the highest quality prints made in the 19th century, with many featuring deluxe techniques such as burnishing or embossing. Osaka prints are a rare and wonderful collecting area of Japanese woodblocks.

Comments - Terrific kabuki triptych of the Priest Mongaku doing penance under the rushing Nachi waterfall. After mistakenly beheading his beloved, the beauty Kesa gozen, while attempting to kill her husband, the warrior Endo Morito renounced his evil ways and became a Buddhist monk. He prayed for twenty-one days under the icy waterfall, only surviving with divine assistance. Here, he tumbles forward into the water with exhaustion as three deities come to help him. In the center, Fudo Myoo appears in a ring of flames, floating on a cloud and holding a sword to strike down non-believers and a rope to bind them. He is accompanied by his two heavenly attendants. At left, Kongara doji reaches forward to grab the monk's robe and keep him from drowning, while Seitaka doji stands at right holding a golden yellow lotus blossom. Ichikawa Danjuro appears as both Mongaku and Fudo Myoo. A fantastic image, vibrantly colored and beautifully detailed with a burnished cloud pattern on Seitaka doji's red robe and expensive red pigment that has oxidized to a dark tone on Kongara doji's skin.

Artist - Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 27 3/4"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three attached panels, backed with paper. Slight creasing at edges, slight soiling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

Priest Mongaku Doing Penance by Kunichika (1835 - 1900)
Priest Mongaku Doing Penance by Kunichika (1835 - 1900)

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