Operating on Guan Yu's Arm - Katsushika Ōi

A detailed depiction of the legendary general Guan Yu undergoing surgery while maintaining his composure during a game of go.

This painting depicts a famous episode from the Chinese historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The legendary general Guan Yu remains composed while a physician scrapes poison from his wounded arm. Katsushika Ōi, the daughter of the artist Hokusai, demonstrates her technical skill through the precise rendering of the figures and the dramatic tension of the scene.

While Guan Yu plays a game of go, his expression remains stoic. The physician, Hua Tuo, performs the surgery with calm focus. An attendant holds a basin to catch the blood, his face contorted in visible distress, which provides a sharp contrast to the general's indifference. The composition balances the stillness of the board game with the visceral nature of the medical procedure.

Ōi, also known as Katsushika Ei, was a talented artist in her own right. She often assisted her father with his major commissions, yet her independent works reveal a distinct sensitivity to light and shadow. This piece shows her ability to handle complex narrative subjects with clarity. The use of colour is restrained, allowing the viewer to focus on the interaction between the characters. The background is kept simple, ensuring the figures occupy the primary space. The attention to the patterns on the garments and the items on the table behind the figures indicates a high level of craftsmanship. This work is a rare example of her individual output, reflecting the narrative traditions common in the late Edo period. It captures a moment of extreme physical trial, rendered with a balance of historical gravity and artistic precision.