Reception Otsu-e



a blind musician fending off dog crutch


some have claimed Ōtsu-e ancestor of ukiyo-e woodblock prints replaced them nationally, such printing techniques not employed there until 19th century, after ukiyo-e style had become popular. however, several artists in utagawa school incorporated Ōtsu-e elements prints. evident, example, in utagawa kuniyoshi’s composite triptych titled Ōtsu-e paintings coming alive; or in popular figures incorporated utagawa hiroshige’s bon-odori dance.


one image source particularly popular ambivalent meaning. pictured blind musician fends off dog worrying @ trailing clothes. original humorously moral purpose “intended warning against being caught unawares, loose sash representing loose or unfocused mind. however, around mid 19th century, image may have been read satire on declining power of tokugawa shogunate, blind man representing government being caught unawares aggressive foreign powers, symbolized dog. utagawa toyokuni made theme own in print of 2 blind men striking @ dogs bark @ heels. kuniyoshi went further in series created under name hodomoyoshi, each of incorporated Ōtsu-e image in 1 corner, accompanying own more dynamic imitation of scene depicted there. theme of blind man attacked dog reinterpreted warrior shimizu kwanja yoshitaka raising sword @ giant rat gnawing end of scroll carries. in way kuniyoshi makes appeal popular tradition of mass production @ time own more elegant version replacing it.








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