Detail: This selection of works by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) reflect a major theme of Japanese woodblock prints throughout the Edo period (1615–1868)—the revival of classical art and literature. Inspired by the commercial success of tales about battles in Japan’s civil war era,19th-century publishers translated and sold similarly action-packed novels from 14th-century China.

Kuniyoshi is best remembered for the portraits of burly, tattooed warriors he created to illustrate these novels. He also produced illustrations of Kabuki theater performances about war and revenge. Some minor characters from these dramas exuded such a deliciously sinister aura that they quickly became favorites among Kabuki fans and frequent subjects of Kuniyoshi prints.