Station 10: Odawara

Category

Library Item

Item no

16396

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 10: Odawara (Sohitsu gojusantsugi)

Description

This print depicts a woman loosely clothed in a white kimono with a large purple floral motif. Her semi-naked figure may refer to the bathhouses and hot springs that can be enjoyed in the nearby Hakone area. This may more simply refer to the dangerous river crossing at Odawara that travellers made on foot (kachiwatashi) between spring and summer.
Kneeling at her side, a young woman reaches into a woven box containing brightly coloured spinning tops. The girl wears a sage green kimono with a blue and white design, and a purple and white striped apron.
The background inset contains a view of travellers wading across the Sakawagawa river in the direction of the high hills on the distant shore. These hills mark the entrance to the Hakone pass.
In Hiroshige's original Hoeido series print, a daimyo and his senior officials are shown being carried across the Sakagawa river. The jagged hills of the arduous Hakone pass loom in the distance.

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

Places > Asia > Japan

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