{"product_id":"act-iv-from-treasury-of-the-loyal-retainers-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"Act IV, from Treasury of the Loyal Retainers - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA refined ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicting a domestic scene from the classic kabuki play, The Treasury of the Loyal Retainers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro belongs to a series depicting scenes from the famous kabuki play, Chushingura, or The Treasury of the Loyal Retainers. Utamaro, a master of the ukiyo-e genre, is recognised for his ability to capture the grace and psychological depth of his subjects. In this composition, he presents a domestic scene that contrasts with the dramatic narrative of the original play. The figures are rendered with the artist's characteristic elongated proportions and refined facial features, which became a hallmark of his bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe print employs a sophisticated use of space, incorporating an inset panel at the top right that provides a secondary narrative layer. The primary figures are engaged in the arrangement of plants, a task requiring focus and precision. Their kimonos are decorated with subtle patterns, rendered with fine lines that demonstrate the technical skill of the woodblock carver and printer. The colour palette remains restrained, relying on soft earth tones, muted greens, and blacks to create a sense of harmony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtamaro was active during the Edo period, a time when the floating world culture flourished in Japan. His work often focused on the inhabitants of the pleasure districts, yet here he adapts his style to a historical theatrical theme. The composition balances the standing figure, who carries a tray with fans, against the two kneeling women attending to the floral display. This arrangement guides the viewer through the scene, from the standing woman's elegant posture to the focused interaction of the women below. The print offers a glimpse into the aesthetic values of the period, where daily activities were elevated through artistic representation and careful attention to detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ryogoku-bridge-and-the-great-riverbank-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eRyōgoku Bridge and the Great Riverbank - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/a-boat-upon-the-waters-utagawa-kuniyoshi\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eA Boat upon the Waters - Utagawa Kuniyoshi — Utagawa Kuniyoshi\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitagawa Utamaro","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58937009635663,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58937240387919,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58937240420687,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58937240453455,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58937240486223,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58937240518991,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58937240551759,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58937240584527,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58937240617295,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58937240650063,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58937240682831,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58937240715599,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Act-IV-from-Treasury-of-the-Loyal-Retainers_Poster_CompositorV1_1790710950288.jpg?v=1790712416","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/act-iv-from-treasury-of-the-loyal-retainers-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}