Xu You Rinsing his Ear at a Waterfall - Nishimura Shigenaga

A classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Nishimura Shigenaga, depicting the legendary hermit Xu You cleansing his ear after an unwanted offer of the throne.

This woodblock print by Nishimura Shigenaga depicts the legendary Chinese hermit Xu You. According to tradition, the Emperor Yao offered Xu You the throne, but the hermit considered the request so offensive that he washed his ear in a nearby stream to cleanse himself of the suggestion. Shigenaga captures this moment of moral rejection with characteristic precision. The figure of Xu You occupies the centre of the composition, perched upon a rocky outcrop beside a cascading waterfall. His posture is relaxed, yet his expression conveys a sense of deliberate action as he reaches toward his ear.

Shigenaga was a significant figure in the development of the Ukiyo-e genre, particularly during the mid-eighteenth century. His work often features clear, confident lines and a balanced use of colour. In this print, the artist employs a limited palette, allowing the focus to remain on the narrative and the graphic quality of the ink work. The waterfall is rendered with rhythmic, vertical strokes that contrast with the rounded, organic forms of the rocks and the figure. The inclusion of a cartouche in the upper left corner provides context, identifying the subject through traditional calligraphy.

As a practitioner of the early Ukiyo-e style, Shigenaga helped refine the techniques that would later define the medium. His ability to combine classical Chinese themes with the aesthetic sensibilities of Edo-period Japan is evident here. The print demonstrates a mastery of composition, where the negative space of the paper is used to suggest the vastness of the natural setting. This piece offers a glimpse into the thematic interests of the period, where historical and legendary figures were frequently reinterpreted through the lens of contemporary printmaking. The work remains a clear example of the technical skill required to produce multi-coloured prints before the full development of the nishiki-e process.