Station 32: Arai

Category

Library Item

Item no

16279

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 32: Arai.

Description

In this print, an old lady crouches down in front of a young man and examines him using her eyeglass. The woman wears a brown kimono with a white repeat motif secured at the waist with plaid patterned obi belt. Her grey hair is tied back in a tight bun. The man before her wears a grey and purple plaid kimono over a brown loincloth, and navy and blue gaiters over his shins. He has drawn up his kimono before him. He wears straw sandals and a wide brimmed straw hat (sandogasa) lies on the ground to his side. Arai post station was an important checkpoint and some travellers were thoroughly questioned and searched before they were allowed to continue with their journey. All travellers had to carry travel permits and any unauthorised travel or attempts to avoid inspection at checkpoints were punishable by death.
In the background inset, Hiroshige depicts the stretch of water between Maisaka and Arai. The 'Arai' edition in the Hoeido Tokaido series provides a close up view of the boats making this crossing. One boat is decked out with a daimyo's ceremonial banners and streamers while the smaller boat sailing with it carries the daimyo's servants.

Artist / maker

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)

Engraver

Hori Take (Yokogawa Takejiro)

Date

1855

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 1855, (Rabbit 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 > Sandals

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Landscape > Land > Hills

Landscape > Land > Islands

Landscape > Water > Seas

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

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