Ensei
- Date:
- c. 1828–30
- Medium:
- Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 21 × 18.2 cm
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
This surimono (c. 1828-30) bears a title suggesting it depicts Yan Qing (Japanese: Roshi Ensei), a Water Margin hero known as the "Wanderer," celebrated for his wrestling skill and loyalty to Song Jiang. The luxury surimono format, with its metallic pigments and embossed paper, was suited to intimate hero portraits, and Kuniyoshi's early Suikoden-related surimono pieces often precede or accompany his larger commercial Suikoden series. The figure's pose would emphasize the languid self-possession that defined Yan Qing's character.
More Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Woman as the Hero Taisō in Palanquin Holding a Pipe
c. 1830
Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper
Yan Qing (Roshi Ensei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
Poem by Abe no Nakamaro, from an untitled series of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets
Hu Sanniang (Ko Sanjo Ichijosei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
More Figures Prints
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ensei was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) in c. 1828–30.
Ensei uses Embossing, on woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper.
Ensei depicts figures and warriors.
Ensei measures 21 × 18.2 cm (Oban format).