Tametomo Rescued by Tengu Sent by Sanuki’in 讃岐院眷属をして為朝をすくふ図さぬきいんけんぞく ためとも ず

Description

This triptych of woodblock prints was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, an artist popular for his ukiyo-e depictions of heroic warriors. It depicts a scene from a best-selling novel of the time. The hero, Tametomo, and his wife are caught in typhoon-hit waters. In an attempt to appease the sea, his wife has jumped from their storm-tossed boat, but the tempest remains unabated. As a despairing Tametomo tries to commit hara-kiri, or ritual suicide, a group of tengu goblins appear on the scene to stop him and take control of the boat. Meanwhile, Tametomo's son and a loyal retainer have been cast adrift from another boat, but they are rescued by a giant shark. The tengu are drawn using very thin, black ink. This skillfully expresses their otherworldly nature. This work also displays a keen interest in Western painting styles. It is believed that the ferocious shark is based on depictions of crocodiles found in contemporary books, for instance, while the picture makes liberal use of a blue color recently introduced from the West. From the dynamic composition that ranges over 3 woodblock prints to the fantastical atmosphere of the picture itself, this work displays a rich imagination so typical of Kuniyoshi.

This print by Kuniyoshi shows a scene from the popular 19th-century novel [Strange Tales of the Bow Moon]. It shows the hero Tametomo being rescued from a sea monster by [tengu].