Station 30: Hamamatsu

Category

Library Item

Item no

16276

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 30: Hamamatsu

Description

A woman, wrapped in a blue cloth and wearing a wide brimmed straw hat, is shown seated on a horse. Her luggage has been strapped to the saddle on either side of her. A man follows closely behind with more luggage.
In the background inset, Hiroshige depicts a shoreline planted with pine trees. This scene is a literal translation of 'Hamamatsu' which means 'pine beach'. The 'Hamamatsu' edition in Hiroshige's Hoeido series depicts travellers warming themselves around a campfire. Behind them in the distance lies the battlefield of Mikatagahara and a castle built by the Tokugawa Shogun Ieyasu. Hiroshige's Gyosho (1841-2) and Reisho (1850) Tokaido series more closely resemble the 'Hamamatsu' edition of Kunisada and Hiroshige's 'Fifty-three stations by two brushes' series and focus on the view of the shore and its pine trees.

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 images

Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Horses

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hats

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Luggage

Landscape > Land > Coastlines

Landscape > Water > Seas

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

Plants > Trees > Trees

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