Huang Chuping (Ko Shohei) with Goat - Totoya Hokkei

A refined surimono woodblock print by Totoya Hokkei depicting the Daoist immortal Huang Chuping with his legendary goat.

This surimono print by Totoya Hokkei depicts the Daoist immortal Huang Chuping, known in Japan as Ko Shohei. Hokkei, a student of Katsushika Hokusai, was a master of the surimono format, which typically involved private commissions for poetry circles. These prints often feature high-quality paper and sophisticated printing techniques, such as metallic pigments or embossing, to appeal to a refined audience.

The composition presents the immortal in a relaxed posture, holding a staff, while a goat rests upon an ornate stool nearby. A flowering plum branch extends between the figures, providing a delicate balance to the scene. The inclusion of calligraphy suggests this work was produced for a poetry gathering, where the image and the text functioned as a unified aesthetic experience. The figure of Ko Shohei is associated with the legend of transforming stones into goats, a narrative element hinted at by the presence of the animal.

Hokkei employs a restrained palette, allowing the fine line work and the texture of the paper to remain the focus. The spatial arrangement is characteristic of the surimono style, where figures are often placed within a shallow, stage-like setting. The print demonstrates the technical precision expected of Edo-period woodblock printing, with subtle gradations of colour and careful attention to the decorative patterns on the stool and the garments. This work offers a glimpse into the cultural life of the period, where classical Chinese themes were reinterpreted through the lens of Japanese artistic traditions and private literary pursuits.