(Scene from a Kabuki Play of a Yoshitsune Story) 1851

This woodblock print, "(Scene from a Kabuki Play of a Yoshitsune Story)" by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865), depicts a scene from a Kabuki play featuring the legendary warrior Yoshitsune. The print features a woman in a white robe, possibly a mother, and her two children, all depicted against a snowy landscape with a blooming cherry blossom tree, signifying both the cold of winter and the promise of spring. Kunisada was a prolific artist specializing in ukiyo-e, the genre of woodblock prints that captured everyday life and popular entertainment in Edo-period Japan. This particular work exemplifies the artistic style and storytelling power of Kabuki prints, offering a glimpse into the world of Japanese theater.