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Station 36: Goyu
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1855, Wood cut
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Station 36: Goyu
Station 36: Goyu
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Item no
16283
Title
Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 36: Goyu
Description
This print depicts two male characters from an unidentified kabuki play. One of the figures (top) wears a cream kimono with a green purple and blue floral design. He has slipped his arms out of his brown and black plaid outerkimono and the green obi belt keeps the garment in place. The second figure (bottom) wears a kamishimo - a combination of broad-shouldered sleeveless tunic (kataginu) and long ceremonial trousers (nagabakama). The long trousers were worn by daimyo and samurai who attended the shogun's court and were designed to impede movement. The tunic and trousers are blue with a complex gold diamond pattern made from pleated triangular shapes. The man's kimono is purple and his obi belt white with a blue and grey grid pattern. In addition to the ceremonial robes, he wears two swords tucked into his belt which indicate his samurai status. In one hand he holds a rolled up scroll. Both of the men wear red 'kumadori' makeup around their eyes. The characters may be drawn from the kabuki play 'Honcho nijushi ko'.
In the background inset, Hiroshige depicts a view of a river with a white Mount Fuji dominating the mountain range beyond. This landscape is comparable to the 'Goyu' edition from Hiroshige's Reisho (1850) and Tate-e (1855) Tokaido series. Instead, the Hoeido Tokaido series presents a view of a street lined with inns and brothels. Local women attempt to intercept the travellers and persuade them to rest at their establishments.
Artist / maker
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)
Engraver
Hori Take (Yokogawa Takejiro)
Date
1855
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:
April 1855, (Rabbit year, 4th 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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Japan
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Kabuki theatre
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