No. 16 Kanbara - Two Brushes - Capital Collections

Category

Library Item

Item no

16261

Title

No. 16 Kanbara 'The Fifty-three Stations by Two Brushes' series ('Sohitsu gojusan tsugi no uchi')

Description

The two figures in this print are a low-level samurai and a tea waitress. The woman has linked her arm through his and she appears to be guiding him toward her establishment. The man laughs and hesitantly rests one hand on top of his head.
He is dressed in a blue and white short kimono, white loincloth (fundoshi), black gaiters (kiahan) and straw sandals (waragi). His sword is visible at his waist and he carries a large straw hat. The woman wears a dark blue kimono with a red obi belt, white socks (tabi) and sandals (geta). Wrapped around her waist is a blue, green and white striped apron. In one hand she carries a small travelling case with a red cord handle.
In the background inset, Hiroshige presents the viewer with another view of Mount Fuji capped with snow. Low hills and a river are depicted in the foreground. Hiroshige's Hoeido print of Kanbara is very different and captures the tranquillity of a small snow covered village at night. The combination of Mount Fuji, hills and river features in many of Hiroshige's prints of Kanbara from the various Tokaido series.

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 > Garments > Kimonos

Clothing and dress > Garments > Loin cloths

Landscape > Land > Mountains

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

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