Station 13: Numazu

Category

Library Item

Item no

16258

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 13: Numazu.

Description

A seated woman unfolds a bolt of blue cloth while the man standing to her left looks at the quality of the fabric. The man's hairstyle and sword suggest that he is a samurai. He wears a green and grey plaid kimono fastened at the waist with a purple obi belt. In his hand he holds an uchiwa fan and behind him lies his sword.
The woman's hair is modestly dressed and she wears a purple kimono decorated with a random pattern of fabric strips and rectangular cuttings. Her kimono is edged in black around the neckline and in sage green at the hem. Her obi belt bears a red and white starburst design which compliments her red undergarment. The two figures probably reference a popular kabuki play of this period.
In the background inset, Hiroshige depicts Mount Fuji, a lesser mountain range and a large town with a castle. This view most closely resembles Hiroshige's 'Reisho Tokaido' print edition that was published by Marusei in 1850. The Hoeido edition (1832-4) focuses on travellers on a pilgrimage to the Kompira shrine.

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)
Censorship seal: Aratame

Further date information:
August 1854, (Tiger year, 8th month)

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'a 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.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Fans

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Landscape > Land > Mountains

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

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