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

The composition presents a scene of apparent chaos centered around a young man and several dogs. He stands amidst a flurry of activity, seemingly attempting to control or manage the animals. The dogs are depicted in various states of agitation – some leaping, others snarling, one appearing to relieve itself. A large black dog looms prominently on the left side of the scene, its posture suggesting aggression or alarm.
The young man is dressed in a blue garment with red accents and appears to be wielding a small object, possibly a stick or fan, which he uses to gesture towards the dogs. His expression is difficult to discern definitively, but it conveys a sense of urgency or perhaps frustration.
Flanking him are two figures observing the scene from a distance. The figure on the left wears a patterned red and orange robe and holds what appears to be a small object in their hand, possibly a pointer or another tool for instruction. The individual on the right is clad in an elaborate blue and purple garment, with a distinctive hairstyle indicative of status or profession. They too appear to be observing the unfolding events.
The background features a simple architectural element – a large drum-like structure – which serves as a visual anchor for the composition. Calligraphic inscriptions are positioned along the sides of the image, likely providing narrative context or moral commentary related to the depicted scene.
Subtleties within the work suggest an underlying didactic purpose. The presence of the observing figures implies that this is not merely a depiction of random events but rather a staged scenario intended for instruction. The contrast between the agitated dogs and the seemingly calm observers hints at a lesson concerning self-control, discipline, or proper conduct. The inclusion of both positive and negative examples – implied by the actions of the young man and the reactions of the dogs – suggests that the work aims to illustrate the consequences of different behaviors. The overall impression is one of a carefully constructed scene designed to impart moral guidance through visual storytelling.