Moral teaching for shopboys, giving good and bad examples of behaviour Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)

The artwork presents a scene unfolding in what appears to be a bustling urban environment. A group of young boys, presumably shop assistants or apprentices, are the central focus, engaged in various behaviors that immediately suggest a didactic purpose. The composition is structured around a clear division: on the right, an adult figure, likely a teacher or supervisor, observes and gestures towards the actions of the boys.
Several distinct episodes are depicted within this larger scene. One boy is shown stealing what appears to be fruit from a stall, his face contorted in a mixture of guilt and defiance. Another boy is actively pushing another to the ground, demonstrating physical aggression. A third seems to be attempting to pilfer from a hanging lantern. In contrast, one boy is depicted assisting an elderly woman, offering her support with evident care. This juxtaposition of actions – theft, violence, and kindness – forms the core of the artwork’s message.
The color palette reinforces this narrative. The dominant blue tones create a sense of coolness and distance, perhaps suggesting the impersonal nature of societal expectations or the severity of consequences for misbehavior. The brighter colors used in the clothing of the adult figure and the lantern draw attention to these elements as points of reference or potential reward/punishment.
The artist’s use of perspective is noteworthy. The scene is viewed from a slightly elevated angle, allowing the viewer to survey the entire group and understand the relationships between them. This vantage point also emphasizes the authority of the adult figure overseeing the boys actions.
Subtly embedded within the composition are details that hint at broader social commentary. The presence of the elderly woman suggests respect for elders and a sense of community responsibility, while the depiction of theft alludes to issues of poverty or lack of opportunity. The overall impression is one of moral instruction – a visual lesson intended to guide young men towards virtuous conduct within a structured societal framework. The scene’s dynamism, conveyed through the boys active postures and expressions, suggests that this is not merely an illustration of abstract principles but a snapshot of real-life challenges faced by those entering adulthood.