Print 1800 - 1865

This print was created by Utagawa Kunisada in Japan; the exact date is unknown, but it was sometime before the artist's death in 1865. It’s a vibrant example of Ukiyo-e, a genre that flourished during the Edo period. At first glance, the work presents a collection of animals, each rendered with meticulous detail. But, look closely, and you will see a bear dressed in what appears to be a sumo wrestling mawashi and animals bearing what looks like chainmail armor. Kunisada cleverly plays with the traditional representation of animals, infusing them with human characteristics. The cultural context here is steeped in the samurai tradition and the burgeoning merchant class, who were key consumers of Ukiyo-e prints. Through his clever depictions, Kunisada hints at the blurring of social roles and the growing influence of commoners. The animals, adorned and anthropomorphized, reflect the complex interplay between nature and culture. Kunisada's ability to capture and comment on these societal shifts is what makes his work so compelling.