Station 14: Hara

Category

Library Item

Item no

16259

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 14: Hara

Description

This print depicts a sake seller standing before two barrels. The barrels are connected with a pole that she would have worn across her shoulders. On top of one barrel labelled 'Mount Fuji sake' are several small blue and white sake cups. The woman is theatrically dressed in a purple long-sleeved (furisode) kimono decorated with white cursive Japanese script. Her sleeveless grey tunic is similarly patterned. The woman has wrapped her hair in cloth to keep it clean. Before her she holds a blue folding fan with the Japanese characters for 'white sake'. This figure is probably a reference to a popular kabuki character.
There were many variations of Tokaido print series produced during the Edo period that celebrated the local produce (meibutsu) that could be found at each post-station. In this print, sake is connected with Mount Fuji and Hara.
In the background inset, Hiroshige has depicted an enlarged view of Mount Fuji. The mountain is so tall that its peak extends beyond the frame of the print. This technique is used in representations of Hara in many of the other Tokaido print series by Hiroshige.

Artist / maker

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)

Engraver

Hori Take (Yokogawa Takejiro)

Date

1854

Size

36 x 24.8 cm

Type

Wood cut

Location

Art and Design Library

Further artist information:
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858)
Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III, 1786-1865)
Signed:
Hiroshige ga (landscape)
Toyokuni ga (figures)
Censorship seal: Aratame

Further date information:
August 1854, (Tiger year, 8th month)

The subject matter of the 'Fifty-three stations by two brushes' series drew upon the popularity of Hiroshige's celebrated series 'Fifty-three stations of the Tokaido Road' (Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi); the earliest editions of which were produced between 1832 and 1834.
Both Kunisada and Hiroshige were pupils of the Utagawa School and collaborated together in order to produce a commercial hit with their 'Fifty-three stations by two brushes'. The series demonstrates Hiroshige's distinction as a landscape artist and Kunisada'a skill as a figurative artist. This series comprises of fifty-six designs (including the title page). Although there were fifty-three post stations, artists traditionally include Nihonbashi (where the Tokaido began) and Kyoto (the road's terminus). The late Edo-period audience who would have collected these lavish prints were able to make connections between the figures and the specific post stations along the Tokaido. Each character's relationship to a locality relies upon subtle references to well known legends and kabuki theatre plots. Hiroshige's original Tokaido series are also referenced in these prints.

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Related images

Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Fans

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Landscape > Land > Mountains

Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing equipment > Barrels

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan