Station 28: Fukuroi

Category

Library Item

Item no

16274

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 28: Fukuroi

Description

In this print, a woman in a blue kimono with a white sleeveless tunic stands with a ladle in her hand. She is dressed as a pilgrim and wears a broad brimmed straw hat (sandogasa) on her back, a collection of wooden tokens on a string around her neck and straw sandals on her feet. Both the hat and a red section of the woman's white tunic bear inscriptions. Pilgrims would collect these inscriptions as they toured the surrounding temples and shrines. The woman's hair is youthfully decorated with combs and hairpins and she wears an obi belt with a red and white tie-dyed (shibori) star burst design.
Behind her stands a boy eating dango (Japanese dumplings) from a skewer and carrying a bamboo ladle. He is similarly dressed in gaiters and straw sandals and wears a straw hat on his back. His kimono is pale blue with a brown grid pattern.
In the background inset, Hiroshige depicts a view of a village surrounded by flat fields. A close up of the hind legs of a horse and the gaitered legs of a traveller also feature in this scene.
Hiroshige's Fukuroi edition in the Hoeido Tokaido series emphasises the rusticity of the location. In this print, a woman makes tea for a customer by heating a kettle over a simple fire. Hiroshige's other Tokaido print series portray people flying kites as a form of religious invocation. In the series 'Tokaido Pairs' or 'Fifty-three parallels of the Tokaido' (Tokaido gojusantsugi), published in the mid 1840s by Iseya and others, a print design by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) illustrates the Buddhist monk, Nichiren Shonin. In 1280, Nichiren addressed a letter to Nikke Saemon no jo who lived in Fukuroi. The letter or 'Nikke Gosho' explored issues of faith and knowledge when striving toward the attainment of Buddhahood.

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:
December 1854, (Tiger year, 12th 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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Related images

Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Horses

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hats

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Sandals

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

People > Adults > Women

People > Children > Boys

Places > Asia > Japan

Sport and leisure > Activities > Eating and drinking

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