Station 4: Kanagawa

Category

Library Item

Item no

16390

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 4: Kanagawa (Sohitsu gojusantsugi)

Description

This print features a samurai eating a snack of skewered Japanese dumplings (dango). He is dressed in a black garment fastened with a yellow obi belt. His straw hat hangs from a cord tied around his neck and he wears straw sandals on his feet. Two swords are visible at his waist and he rests a long spear upon his shoulder.
A tea waitress, crouched beside a palanquin, watches the samurai as he marches off. She is wearing a lilac kimono, with a white blossom motif, and an obi belt that has been fastened behind her. The belt is double sided with a purple and lilac geometric pattern on one side and a red, white and pink design on the other. A blue and white cloth is draped over her left shoulder and around her waist is tied a blue and purple striped apron. Tea waitresses dressed fashionably to attract customers and during the Edo period the post station at Kanagawa was busy with female touts trying to encourage passing travellers to visit their teahouses. Hiroshige's original Hoeido series print depicts the cliff top road, lined with teahouses overlooking Edo bay.
In this later print by Hiroshige and Kunisada, a view of the ships in Edo bay appears in the inset.

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)

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's 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 > Hairstyles

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Landscape > Land > Bays

Landscape > Water > Seas

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

Transport > Water > Boats

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