The artwork titled “Ôboshi Rikiya Yoshikane” is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi around 1847 to 1848. This piece falls under the Ukiyo-e art movement and is part of the series “Stories of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai”. The print is an illustration measuring 36.2 x 25.2 centimeters and is currently housed at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, US.
The artwork depicts a samurai character seated in a dynamic pose, exuding a sense of readiness and resolve. He holds a polearm and is adorned in traditional, richly patterned garments featuring a combination of floral and abstract designs. The character wears a headband, and his attire includes armor parts, suggesting his readiness for battle. The background is filled with Japanese calligraphy, contributing to the narrative aspect of the print. The artwork exemplifies the detailed and expressive style characteristic of Kuniyoshi’s work and the Ukiyo-e movement, capturing the essence of the samurai’s loyalty and valor.
