Composite Pictures
Yose-e (寄せ絵)
1847-1848
These
composite pictures combine small figures to make a single larger image,
usually a face. The prints bear
different titles. The text is sometimes
humorous, often with puns (kyôbun). These prints are each about 14 by 10 inches
(36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban. |
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Title: At first
glance he looks fierce, but he is really a kind person (Mikake wa koi-i tonda iku hitoda,
みかけはこわいがとんだいい人だ) Publisher: Fujioka-ya Hikotarô |
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This is a key block print for the above design. It is an impression pulled from the first woodblock
made by a carver from the artist’s original drawing. The artist would write instructions for
each color on a separate key block print, and the woodblock for each color
was cut using one of these as a guide.
Registration marks (kento) are characteristically found on Japanese key block
prints (the backwards ‘L’ in the right lower corner and the bar on the right
side near the top). Kento are cut
in each woodblock, so that the paper can be properly aligned on each
woodblock during printing. In addition to
being a guide for carving the color woodblocks, the key block was also used
to apply black ink (usually) in the printing process. Note that the fabric design is not included
on the key block print and does not have a black outline. |
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I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this modern reproduction with an
unidentified publisher’s seal. |
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Title: Men join together to form another man (Hito katamatte hito
ni naru, 人かたまって人になる) Publisher: Yamato-ya Kyűbei |
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Title: A tricky fellow
fond of mischief (Hito o baka ni shita
hito da, 人をばかにした人だ) Publisher: Yamato-ya Kyűbei of Kawagashi Image courtesy of Richard A. Waldman of The Art of Japan |
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Title: He looks
young although he is made-up of the twelve signs for the years (Toshi ga yote mo
wakai hito da, 年が寄っても若い人だ) Publisher: Iba-ya Sensaburô NOTE: This print
contains the twelve signs of the Buddhist zodiac. The head is a dog; the nose is a rabbit;
the mouth is a snake; the left eye is a rat; the hair is composed of a cock
and an ox; the eyebrows are tiger tails; a dragon and a monkey compose the
birthmark on the forehead; the left ear is a horse; the character on the
costume is a sheep is; and the crest on the costume is the tusks of a pig. |
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Title: Even though
she looks old, she is really young (Toshiyori no yô na wakai hito
da, 年よりのような若い人だ) Publisher: Fujioka-ya Hikotarô |
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This is another edition of the above print. |
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This is a reproduction. |
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This unsigned print is probably by Kuniyoshi. It satirizes a builder profiteering from
the Ansei earthquake of 1855. The catfish symbolizes the earthquake, and
the profiteer is holding a 100 ryô gold coin
(金百両). I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image
and information. |
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This print and the three following images were published by Izumi
Katsujirô about 1891 from newly cut woodblocks. |
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Title: A Person as a
person should be (Tadajiki nahito, 正じきな人) This preparatory drawing was never made into a woodblock
print. The object in the right upper
corner that resembles a bell is a rear view of a sitting man with a long unraveled loincloth.
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Title: The Seven
Gods of Good Fortune Join Together to Bring Luck (Kaiun shusse gattai
Shichifukujin, 開運出世合体七福神) Description: Daikoku (大黒), whose image is made up of a
composite of all 7 gods, displaying his giant golden phallus and holding a
golden mallet (uchide no kozuchi). Date: 1842-1846
(censor Murata Sahei) Publisher: Fujioka-ya Hikotarô NOTE: This print is listed in in Kuniyoshi by
Basil William Robinson (1961, Victoria and Albert Museum, London) as series
183. The title may also be translated as
The Seven Gods of Good Fortune Join Bodies and Give Birth to Luck. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for
information about this print. |
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Title: Description: Daikoku (大黒), whose image is made up of a
composite of all 7 gods Date: 1846-1852 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke I am grateful
to Robert Pryor for this image. |
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Title: Textile
Pattern of People to Stop Your Yawning (欠留人物更紗, Akubidome jinbutsu sarasa) Date: c. 1842 Publisher: Yamamoto Heikichi |
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Another state of the above
print, courtesy of Robert Pryor |
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Another state of the above print, courtesy of Horst Graebner |
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