Monkey Trainer, Monkey and Dog - Utagawa Kuninao

A woodblock print by Utagawa Kuninao depicting a traditional Japanese monkey trainer with his animal companions, framed by a decorative cartouche.

This woodblock print by Utagawa Kuninao captures a moment of street performance, a common subject within the Ukiyo-e tradition. The composition centres on a sarumawashi, or monkey trainer, who carries a small monkey in a sling across his chest. Beside him, a spotted dog looks up, adding a sense of movement to the scene. The figures are framed within a cloud-shaped cartouche, set against a deep blue background decorated with a subtle, repeating square pattern.

Kuninao, a student of the master Utagawa Toyokuni I, was active during the late Edo period. His work often reflects the popular culture of the time, documenting the lives of performers and commoners. The inclusion of a poem or inscription in the upper right corner is a hallmark of surimono, a genre of privately commissioned prints often exchanged among poets and artists. These prints were produced with high-quality materials, such as metallic pigments or embossing, to demonstrate the technical skill of the carver and printer.

In this piece, the artist employs a clear, graphic style. The lines are precise, defining the folds of the trainer's garments and the features of the animals. The colour palette is balanced, using the contrast between the warm tones of the central cartouche and the cool, deep blue of the surrounding field to draw the eye. The work provides a glimpse into the social history of nineteenth-century Japan, where itinerant entertainers were a familiar sight in urban spaces. This print is a fine example of the aesthetic sensibilities of the period, combining literary elements with observational drawing.