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The Prints

Print 2-1. A Geisha Playing Go

An oban print by Kunisada III, published by Ezakiya Tatsuzo in 1845.

The title of this print is Kinki-Shoga, and it was designed as one panel of a Four Accomplishments series (another impression of this print and the other two of this series are shown below). The young woman's mind is obviously straying from the game. She has the white stones, so she must be stronger than her unseen opponent, and a few black prisoners are visible in the lid of her bowl. The poem in the fan-shaped cartouche reveals her thoughts:

What a bother!
In a game the outcome depends
on which is the stronger,
but in affairs of the heart
how can one make up one's mind?

Print 2-2. The Four Accomplishments Among Children

Large surimono by Shunshoku. Privately published for the year 1850.

Painting, go and poetry are easy to find in this print, issued privately for members of a poetry club. The lute is suggested by the kite, invisible here, whose string, humming in the wind, calls to mind the classical single-string koto.

Print 2-3. The Four Accomplishments Among Poets

Large surimono by Shutei. Privately published for the year 1856.

This surimono in Shijo style, as Print 2-2 above, was issued for private distribution among members of a poetry club. Their poems occupy the upper area of the print.

Print 2-4. The Four Accomplishments Among Courtesans

Oban woodblock triptych by Chikashige. Published by Tsunajima Kamekichi in 1876.

Titled Zensei Kurabe Kakuyu no Zu (The Pleasure Quarters in Full Splendor), this print depicts the courtesans of an upper-class establishment showing off their skills at music, poetry, go, and painting (music being represented by the single-string koto half-hidden behind one of the go players). Each woman is identified by name. A note beside the artist's signature on the right side written by hand reads, `Delivered on the 22nd day of the 8th month of the 9th year of Meiji.'

Print 2-5. Courtesans Exhibiting Their Skills

Oban triptych by Chikashige. Published by Komori Sojiro in 1881.

A later triptych by Chikashige in the same style as Print 2-4. A shogi game in progress in the right panel as well as a go game in the middle one. The banner held by the woman in the right panel announces the title of this print Kinki-Shoga no Zu (The Four Accomplishments).

Print 2-6. The Four Accomplishments Among the Gods of Good Fortune

Ink and watercolors on paper by Seiko, late 19th century. Publisher unknown.

A well-executed sketch with fresh colors, possibly a preliminary study for a painting.

Print 2-7. The Four Accomplishments Among Court Ladies

Fan print attributed to Gyosai. Published ca. 1870s. Publisher unknown.

The artist imagines a gaggle of plump, busy court ladies and creates a charming parody of the classic theme. Fan prints were designed to be pasted on an uchiwa, or summer fan, and then discarded when the season was over. As a consequence, prints of this type are now relatively uncommon.