Station 21: Mariko

Category

Library Item

Item no

16266

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 21: Mariko

Description

In this print a tea waitress is shown holding a black lacquer tray of small blue and white sake cups. She is dressed in blue, green and white striped kimono and a green apron that is decorated with kabuki actors' crests. The long sleeves of the kimono have been tied back using a red cord while she is working. Her voluminous purple and red obi belt is stylishly tied behind her and she wears white socks (tabi) and raised sandals (geta) on her feet. The woman has tucked one of her hands into the neckline of her kimono to keep warm. To her left is a low bench, for the use of patrons of the teashop, upon which rests a box containing balls of Abe River rice cake (abekawa mochi).
In the background inset, Hiroshige depicts a snow-covered village surrounded by snow-whitened mountains. This scene is comparable to his Reisho Tokaido print that was published in 1850 by Marusei.
Hiroshige's Hoeido print does not show Mariko in the winter and the artist has focused on a small teashop where travellers enjoy the local grated jinenjo yam soup (tororojiru) that is a speciality of Shizuoka. The teashop's sign advertises yam porridge, yam gruel and yam paste.

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:
December 1854, (Tiger year, 12th 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 subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hairstyles

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Furnishings > Furniture > Tables

Landscape > Land > Mountains

Natural phenomena > Weather > Snow

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan