Yokai criticizing politics?! Ukiyo-e filled with rebellious spirit

NHK's educational program "Ukiyo-e EDO-LIFE" features ukiyo-e prints linked to the story every week, in order to help viewers enjoy the station's historical drama "UNBOUND (Berabou)" (General TV, Sundays at 8pm and other times) even more deeply. On September 19th, "The World of UNBOUND: Yokai Criticize Politics!? Rebelliousness Transcends Time" will be broadcast on BS Premium 4K from 6pm and on NHK Educational TV from 11:50pm.

This time we will be introducing Utagawa Kuniyoshi's "Monsters Made by Earth Spiders at the Residence of Minamoto no Yorimitsu," a rebellious work that satirizes the shogunate reforms that were depriving the common people of their enjoyment.

Even after Tsutaju and Sadanobu, reforms encouraging frugality and discontent among the common people continued. The "Monsters by Tsuchigumo at the Residence of Minamoto no Yorimitsu," which we will be looking at today, was painted during the Tenpo Reforms, about 50 years after Sadanobu's reforms.

This is the story of Minamoto no Yorimitsu, a warlord from the Heian period, who defeats a giant "earth spider." However, the Shogun is asleep, and the warlords are leisurely playing Go. Then, a horde of strange monsters attacks. What on earth is going on? This painting is imbued with the rebellious spirit of artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi, who captured the hearts of the people...

"Yokai Criticizing Politics!? Rebellious Spirit Transcends Time" premiered on October 16, 2020.