Station 5: Hodogawa

Category

Library Item

Item no

16391

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 5: Hodogawa (Sohitsu gojusantsugi)

Description

This print depicts a courtesan standing next to a palanquin (kago). She wears long ornamental rods in her hair and is dressed in a green and grey kimono with a chequered pattern. The lining of the kimono is decorated with a design that consists of large purple and lilac squares. A wide purple obi belt is fastened behind her and she has tucked a roll of tissues into its folds. Her kimono opens at the front to reveal a red under kimono and the black lacquered sandals (geta) on her feet.
A young boy stands to her left dressed in a loose fitting green garment with a plaid design. He wears a wide brimmed straw hat on his back and straw sandals on his feet. In the boy's hand is a bamboo ladle.
The background inset depicts a view of the area's flat landscape, here dominated by the peak of Mount Fuji. In the left hand corner of the inset is a small group of travellers carrying a palanquin. In Hiroshige's original Hoeido series print, a number of travellers cross a bridge over a stream. A closed palanquin is part of the small group headed in the direction of the village on the opposite bank.

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 > Mountains

People > Adults > Women

People > Children > Boys

Places > Asia > Japan

Plants > Trees > Trees

Transport > Infrastructure > Lanes

Transport > Land > Palanquins