Station 8: Hiratsuka

Category

Library Item

Item no

16394

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 8: Hiratsuka (Sohitsu gojusantsugi)

Description

In this print a waitress carries two trays of food and is followed by a young female assistant.
The waitress wears a purple and grey striped kimono with a double sided obi belt. One side of the belt has a purple and grey star burst motif and the other side is pattered with a red, pink and black checked design. She has a blue cloth slung across her shoulder and she has fastened an apron with a gourd and vine leaf design around her waist. The lacquered trays are laden with covered black lacquer serving bowls and plates with fish.
Her young assistant carries a large black lacquer tub. Her purple kimono is decorated with a geometric floral design and fastened with an obi belt with a red starburst pattern. The young girl also wears a navy apron with an abstract floral design.
In the background inset, there is a view of a river and a snow-capped Mount Fuji in the distance. Travellers can be seen walking across the fields towards a low causeway at the water's edge where they can catch a skiff that will take them to the other side.
In Hiroshige's original Hoeido series print, a courier is shown running past travellers on the causeway that borders the water's edge. Stone markers and wooden signposts indicate the location where boats can be hired to taxi travellers across the water.

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

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

People > Adults > Women

People > Children > Girls

Places > Asia > Japan

Transport > Water > Boats

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