Kuniyoshi Project

Nazorae Suikoden

(擬え水滸傳, An Imitation of the Suikoden)

c. 1830

The Suikoden (Shuihu zhuan in Chinese) is a semi-historical Chinese novel that tells of the adventures of a band of 108 rebels, who sought refuge in the margins of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel warriors protected the poor and downtrodden, very much like Robin Hood’s band. In this series, erotic scenes are paired with inset images of Suikoden heroes. The prints in this series are each about 3.5 by 5 inches (9 by 13 centimeters), a size known as kôban.

Suikoden hero: Chôkanko Chintatsu (陳達)

NOTE: Although shunga is generally unsigned, artists sometimes inserted hidden signatures. Kuniyoshi’s kiri seal, a stylized paulownia flower, appears in the background of the right upper quadrant of this print.