Where can I see The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku?

The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku?

The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku is associated with Ukiyo-e.

Artwork

The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku

The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

While the specific individual or group who commissioned the work remains unrecorded in available documentation, the piece is attributed to an unknown artist.

The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku is a painting created in Japan in 1749. While the specific individual or group who commissioned the work remains unrecorded in available documentation, the piece is attributed to an unknown artist. The artwork eventually entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is held under the accession number 1983.80. The museum's records confirm the work's inception year as 1749 and its country of origin as Japan.

The painting titled The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku was created in 1749 and is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, accessioned as 1983.80. It has been exhibited at the museum, though specific exhibition dates are not detailed in the available records.

The work originates from Japan and falls under the classification of painting.

Overview

The Illustrated Tale of Oishi Hyōroku is a horizontal hand‑scroll painting, known in Japanese as a emakimono, composed on a light‑brown paper background. The work unfolds as a continuous narrative band, presenting a succession of compact, vividly coloured vignettes that together depict a story.

Subject & Meaning

Each miniature scene captures everyday actions, combat, conversation, travel and communal meals, centred on the figure of Oishi Hyōroku, a legendary swordsman. The juxtaposition of martial and domestic moments reflects the duality of his reputation as both a warrior and a social participant, offering insight into Edo‑period ideals of heroism and communal life.

Technique & Style

The scroll employs a fine brush technique typical of ukiyo‑e narrative painting, with delicate line work outlining figures and objects. Bright mineral pigments are applied in flat washes, creating contrast against the muted background. The composition relies on rhythmic sequencing, guiding the viewer’s eye across the length of the scroll.