One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden

通俗水滸伝豪傑百八人之一個

About This Series

One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden is the series that launched Kuniyoshi's career and established him as the supreme artist of warrior prints. Published between 1827 and 1830, the series depicts heroes from the Chinese novel Water Margin (Shuihu Zhuan), a tale of 108 outlaws who band together against a corrupt government. Kuniyoshi's bold, dynamic compositions — featuring muscular, tattooed warriors in dramatic poses — created a sensation in Edo and earned him the nickname "Warrior Kuniyoshi" (Musha-e no Kuniyoshi). The series had an enormous influence on Japanese popular culture, particularly on tattoo art, which drew heavily on Kuniyoshi's heroic imagery.

Prints in This Series (26)

Bai Sheng (Hakujisso Hakusho), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Cao Zheng (Sotoki Sosei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban, keyblock proof impression with light color

Chen Da (Chokanko Chintatsu), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; left sheet of oban triptych

Genshōshichi, from the series Elegant Women's The Water Margin: From One Hundred and Eight Figures (Fuzoku onna Suikoden: Ippyaku-hachinin no uchi)

c. 1828-1832

Woodblock print (surimono); ink, color, and metallic pigments on paper

Hu Sanniang (Ko Sanjo Ichijosei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Inue Shinbyoe Masashi, from the series "Eight Hundred Heroes of the Japanese Water Margin (Honcho Suikoden goyu happyakunin no hitori)"

c. 1836

Color woodblock print; oban

Li Kui (Kokusenpu Riki, ichimei Ritetsugyu), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827

Color woodblock print; oban

Lu Junyi (Gyokukirin Roshungi), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Lu Zhishen, Originally Named Lu Da (Kaosho Rochishin shomei Rotatsu), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827

Color woodblock print; oban

Ma Lin (Tettekisen Barin), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Oteiroku, from the series "Fashionable Women as the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Water Margin (Fuzoku onna Suikoden, ippyakuhachinin no uchi)"

c. 1828/30

Color woodblock print; surimono

Ro Shungi (Chinese: Lu Junyi), from the series Elegant Women's The Water Margin: From One Hundred and Eight Figures (Fuzoku onna Suikoden: Ippyaku-hachinin no uchi)

c. 1828-1832

Woodblock print (surimono); ink, color, and metallic pigments on paper

Rori Hakucho Chojun (from the series 108 Heroes of the Novel Shui Hu Chuan)

late 1820s

color woodblock print

Rua Xiaoqi (Katsuenra Genshoshichi), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Ruan Xiao'er (Ritchitaisai Genshoji), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Saishin, from the series "Fashionable Women as the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Water Margin (Fuzoku onna Suikoden, ippyakuhachinin no uchi)"

c. 1828/30

Color woodblock print; surimono

Sun Li (Byo'utchi Sonritsu), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Tsuzoku Suikoden Goketsu Hyakuhachi-nin no Hitori

Woodblock print

Wu Song (Seikaken no san Busho), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the [Popular] Water Margin ([Tsuzoku] Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Wu Yong (Chitasei Goyo), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Xie Zhen (Ryotoda Kaichin), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Yan Qing (Roshi Ensei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Yang Lin (Kinhyoshi Yorin), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Yang Zhi (Seimenju Yoshi), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Zhang Qing (Botu'usen Chosei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Zheng Tianshou (Hakumenrokun Teitenja), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"

c. 1827/30

Color woodblock print; oban

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden series?

How many prints are in the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden series?

The One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden series contains 108 prints, created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi between 1827–1830.

Who created the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden series?

The One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden series was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳), produced between 1827–1830.

Can I see all prints from the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden series?

We currently have 26 of 108 known prints from the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden series indexed in our collection. Browse them all on this page.

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