Artwork
Battle of the Monkey and the Crab
Battle of the Monkey and the Crab is a paint painting by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kuninao. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a scene from the Japanese folk tale 'The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab'. The artwork is a copyist's drawing, intended for a small, illustrated children's book popular in late Edo period Japan.
Subject & Meaning
The tale revolves around a crab's vengeance against a monkey. The monkey tricks the crab into trading a rice ball for a persimmon seed, leading to the crab's demise after the monkey devours the fruit from the tree the crab nurtured. The painting captures the ensuing battle for revenge, aided by the crab's friends.
Technique & Style
Attributed to the style of Utagawa Kuninao, the work features coloured panels, specifically designed for the front cover of a book. The style is characteristic of Edo period illustrations, though this piece is a rare surviving copyist's drawing, typically destroyed after block carving.
History & Provenance
Originally based on Kuninao's sketches, this copyist's drawing unexpectedly survived, indicating the planned prints were never produced. Its existence provides insight into the unpublished design process of Edo period book illustrations.
Context
Created for late Edo period (1615-1868) children's literature, such books were highly popular. The tale's themes of trickery and vengeance were likely meant to teach moral lessons to young readers.
Artist & collection
