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Subject = "Kabuki theatre"
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Station 11: Hakone
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1854, Wood cut
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Station 11: Hakone
Station 11: Hakone
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Item no
16397
Title
Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 11: Hakone
Description
In this print Kunisada depicts a female character pulling along a cart upon which her male companion is seated cross-legged. The woman is wearing a purple and black outerkimono with a white wave design over a red and blue under garment. The man on the wooden cart wears a blue kimono with yellow and black woven check panels at the shoulders and neckline. He holds up a lantern with one hand and grips the back of the trolley with the other hand. These characters are Hatsuhana and Linuma Katsugoro from the kabuki play 'Hakone Reigen Izari no adauchi' and this image is similar to the Hakone edition of Kunisada's Tokaido diptych series that was published in 1852 by Iseya.
In the play the character of Katsugoro is searching for Sato Gosuke, the man who killed his brother. However, while on the road Katsugoro is crippled and has to be pulled along on a wooden cart by his dutiful wife. He confronts his enemy at Hakone but Katsugoro is easily overpowered and his wife captured. When Hatsuhana prays at a sacred waterfall Katsugoro's strength is miraculously restored, enabling him to exact vengeance on his sworn enemy.
In the background panel is Hiroshige's depiction of the hills of Hakone - a harsh, mountainous region that presented travellers with the most challenging part of their journey. Three travellers are shown making their way across a bridge over a river. The Hoeido print by Hiroshige emphasises the height of the mountains and the steepness of the narrow, winding road. The experience of crossing this mountain pass would have been daunting to most travellers.
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:
July 1854, (Tiger year, 7th 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.
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Clothing and dress
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Garments
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Kimonos
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Mountains
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Water
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Rivers and streams
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Adults
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Men
People
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Adults
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Women
Places
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Asia
>
Japan
Sport and leisure
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Activities
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Kabuki theatre
Transport
>
Infrastructure
>
Pedestrian bridges
Transport
>
Land
>
Carts and wagons
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