Book of Humorous Poems (KyÅka shÅ«) - Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined woodblock print from a KyÅka shÅ«, featuring elegant Japanese calligraphy paired with delicate illustrations by the master Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
This woodblock print originates from a KyÅka shÅ«, a collection of humorous thirty-one-syllable poems popular during the Edo period. Utagawa Kuniyoshi, a master of the Ukiyo-e tradition, demonstrates his versatility here by integrating text with sparse, evocative imagery. The composition balances the verticality of the Japanese script with small, precise illustrations of natural elements, such as a bird in flight and stylised bamboo or reed formations.
KyÅka, or mad verse, functioned as a social activity among the literati and urban classes. These books were often collaborative efforts, bringing together poets and artists to produce works that were both visually and intellectually engaging. The calligraphic lines are fluid and confident, reflecting the high standard of woodblock printing techniques employed in nineteenth-century Japan. The negative space on the page is used effectively, allowing the text to breathe and creating a sense of order within the double-page spread.
Kuniyoshi is widely recognised for his dynamic compositions and imaginative subjects, yet this piece reveals his ability to work within the restrained aesthetic of book illustration. The print captures the intersection of literature and visual art, providing a glimpse into the cultural life of the period. The monochrome palette focuses the viewer on the rhythm of the characters and the delicate linework of the accompanying sketches. This print is a fine example of the technical precision required for traditional Japanese book production, where the harmony between the written word and the printed image was paramount.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge â just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination â you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50Ã70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20Ã30 cm) to Large (60Ã90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Book of Humorous Poems (KyÅka shÅ«) - Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Artist Biography
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
For the first thirteen years he struggled. The breakthrough came in 1827 with a commission to illustrate the 108 Heroes of the Suikoden, a Chinese adventure novel. He drew tattooed warriors in dynamic poses that broke out of the frame, the tattoos rendered with a detail that started a fashion in Edo. The series was enormously popular and established him as the leading designer of warrior prints.
He loved cats. His studio was always full of them, and he often worked with a kitten tucked inside his kimono. When a cat died, he sent it to a nearby temple, and he kept a Buddhist altar for his deceased cats at home. Cats appear constantly in his prints: as substitute actors in kabuki scenes, as letter-forms in playful alphabets, as parodies of famous paintings. Government censorship in the 1840s prohibited the depiction of actors and courtesans by name, so Kuniyoshi gave them cat faces, which was technically legal and funnier.
His range was unusual for an ukiyo-e artist. Warriors, landscapes, beautiful women, ghosts, satirical cartoons, cats. He was equally comfortable with the heroic and the absurd, sometimes on the same sheet. His triptych of the giant skeleton spectre, from the tale of Takiyasha the Witch, is one of the most reproduced images in Japanese art.
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