Daie, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

Tsukioka Kôgyo created this woodblock print titled "Daie" as part of his "Pictures of No Performances" series. It presents figures from the Japanese Noh theatre. Noh developed under the patronage of the elite, particularly the shogunate during the Muromachi period. The image reflects traditional Japanese aesthetics. Notice the stylized, masked figures and the flat, graphic rendering that emphasizes pattern and line over realism. Noh theatre itself is highly codified, with specific movements, costumes, and musical accompaniment dictated by tradition. The print was made during the Meiji era, a time of rapid modernization and Westernization in Japan. Artists like Kôgyo looked to preserve and celebrate traditional Japanese arts in the face of sweeping social and cultural changes. To fully appreciate this work, research into Noh theatre, the Meiji Restoration, and the role of art institutions in shaping cultural identity would be invaluable.