Act VII c. 1806

print, ink, color-on-paper

landscape illustration sketch

print

japan

handmade artwork painting

personal sketchbook

ink

color-on-paper

coloured pencil

sketchbook drawing

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

storyboard and sketchbook work

sketchbook art

watercolor

"Act VII," a woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, depicts a dramatic scene from the Japanese play "Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees." The print shows a pivotal moment in the story, a battle between samurai, set against a backdrop of a moonlit Japanese garden. The use of vivid colors and detailed brushstrokes are characteristic of Hokusai’s ukiyo-e style, which captures the beauty and everyday life of Edo-era Japan. This print is a testament to Hokusai’s mastery of narrative and visual storytelling.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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While pretending to lead a life of debauchery, Yuranosuke plans to avenge the untimely death of Lord Enya, his master. He enlists the aid of Kaoyo, his master's widow. In act 7, a letter containing details of the plot sent to him from Kaoyo is inadvertently read by a prostitute named Okaru. Realizing that Okaru could spoil the plan, Yuranosuke resigns himself to killing her. Okaru's brother, Heiemon, who is also a former retainer of Enya, recognizes his sister's indiscretion and decides to do the terrible deed himself out of love for her. Okaru, on the other hand, tries to kill herself to save her brother from such a deed. All these actions are stopped when Yuranosuke discovers a spy hiding under the floor. Showing the three main characters, Yuranosuke on the veranda, Okaru and Heiemon in the garden holding a sword, Hokusai's depiction of act 7 represents the moment when they apprehend the spy.