The Story of Sakura Sōgo (Sakura Sōgo no hanashi)
- Date:
- Meiji period, dated 1885
- Medium:
- Ukiyo-e woodblock print in "ōban" format; ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 35.6 × 24.1 cm
- Source:
- Harvard Art Museums
Description
"The Story of Sakura Sōgo" (1885) depicts the legend of Kiuchi Sōgorō, a village headman who presented a forbidden direct petition to the shogun on behalf of his overtaxed fellow farmers—saving his village at the cost of his own execution and those of his family. The story became one of the most celebrated examples of selfless sacrifice in Edo-period popular culture, Sōgorō elevated to near-sainthood and enshrined at a local temple. Yoshitoshi renders the historical martyr with the dignity and pathos the story demanded, the cherry blossoms of his adopted name—"Sakura"—falling around him.
More Prints by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
More Cherry Blossoms Prints
Kumoi Cherry Trees (Kumoi sakura)
Kumoi sakura
1926
Color woodblock print
Hirosaki Castle, from the series "Eight Views of Cherry Blossoms"
1935
Color woodblock print
Chion-in Temple Gate (Romon), from the series Eight Scenes of Cherry Blossoms (Sakura hachidai)
Romon
1935
Color woodblock print
Cherry Blossoms at Maruyama Park
円山公園桜
Woodblock print
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Story of Sakura Sōgo (Sakura Sōgo no hanashi) was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in Meiji period, dated 1885.
The Story of Sakura Sōgo (Sakura Sōgo no hanashi) depicts cherry blossoms.
The Story of Sakura Sōgo (Sakura Sōgo no hanashi) measures 35.6 × 24.1 cm (Oban format).