Station 9: Oiso

Category

Library Item

Item no

16395

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 9: Oiso (Sohitsu gojusantsugi)

Description

This print depicts two actors from the kabuki stage; the male figure is Soga Juro Sukenari and his lover is the courtesan Oiso no Tora. Her name references the place name of this Tokaido post station. These characters would have appeared together in a 'Sogamono' or dramatisation based upon the story of the 'Soga Brothers Revenge.'
Oiso no Tora wears a red kimono decorated with a swirling wave and flower design in green, blue, purple and grey. Her obi belt has a purple and blue checked design overlaid with smaller golden squares. Her sleeves have been tied back with a purple band so that she can brush her lover's hair. In the print she is shown using a tissue to clean her comb.
Seated at her feet, Soga Juro Sukenari wears a blue kimono decorated with a plover (chidori) design. His hair is bound in a topknot with a white cord and the hilt of his sword is visible at his waist. To his side there lies a white fan upon which he has placed his black hat.
The background inset presents a view of a small coastal village situated at the foot of a hill. Stone stelae have been placed on the hill-top.
In Hiroshige's original Hoeido series print, travellers approaching this isolated village are depicted trying to shelter from a downpour of rain.

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 subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hairstyles

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Landscape > Water > Seas

People > Entertainment and sports > Actors

Places > Asia > Japan

Plants > Trees > Trees

Sport and leisure > Activities > Kabuki theatre

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