PRINT 1

"Kabuki Play Gion Sairei Shinko-ki"

Artist: Hironobu Kinoshita (active ca. 1851-1872)

Date: 1861

In this panel from a diptych, Mashiba Hisayoshi is pictured in a contemplative moment, leaning on a goban.

PRINT 2

"The Pleasure Of Go"

Artist: Kunichika Toyohara (1835-1900)

Date: 1872

A geisha enjoys playing Go. From a series of sixteen prints illustrating "enjoyable indoor games."

PRINT 3

"Man With Puppet On A Goban"

Artist: Hokusai Katsushika (1760 - 1849)

Date: ca. 1820

During the Edo period (esp. 1638-1736) the staging of puppet plays on Go boards became a popular form of entertainment. Later, this evolved to the point that child kabuki performers would dance on traditional footed gobans such as the one depicted here.

PRINT 4

"The Gods Amuse Themselves"

Artist: Toyokuni III (1786 - 1864)

Date: 1853

In this panel from a triptych, Ebisu (the god of commerce) plays Go with Fukurokuju (the god of wealth and longevity) while Hotei (the god of kindness and joviality) paints a picture. In the other panels, gods are shown performing on the koto, practicing calligraphy, and playing shogi. The theme of this triptych is "The Four Accomplishments" -- Go, painting, music, and calligraphy -- known in Chinese society at that time as the mark of a gentleman.

PRINT 5

"A Scene From 'Tale of Genji' "

Artist: Toyokuni III (1786 - 1864)

Date: 1853

In Murasaki's well-known novel, this famous scene occurs, in which Genji (not pictured) spies on women playing Go. This is the left hand panel of a diptych.