Twenty-four Instances of Filial Piety - Torii Kiyotsune

A 1774 woodblock-printed book cover by Torii Kiyotsune, featuring traditional Japanese calligraphy and a textured green design.

This item represents the cover of the 1774 publication titled Twenty-four Instances of Filial Piety (Ehon nijūshi kō). Produced by the artist Torii Kiyotsune, this work belongs to the Ukiyo-e tradition, specifically the genre of ehon, or illustrated books, which were popular during the Edo period in Japan. The cover displays a restrained aesthetic, featuring a textured, dark green paper ground that provides a subtle backdrop for the primary design elements.

On the left side, a vertical paper label contains the title in Japanese calligraphy. The characters are rendered with precision, identifying the subject matter as a collection of moral tales concerning filial piety. Below the title, the artist's name, Torii Kiyotsune, is inscribed, confirming his role in the creation of the illustrations within the volume. A small, modern archival label is affixed to the upper portion of the cover, providing cataloguing information that confirms the date of 1774 and the title of the work.

The Torii school was well-known for its contributions to kabuki theatre art and printmaking. This specific volume demonstrates the school's capacity for producing didactic literature intended for a broad audience. The physical condition of the cover reflects its age, showing signs of wear that are consistent with historical paper-based objects. The composition is balanced, relying on the contrast between the dark, patterned cover material and the lighter, cream-coloured paper of the title slip. This piece offers a glimpse into the material culture of eighteenth-century Japan, where literature and visual art were integrated to communicate social and ethical values. The print serves as a record of the publication's identity, maintaining the integrity of the original book design while providing a clear example of period typography and layout.