Station 24: Shimada

Category

Library Item

Item no

16270

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 24: Shimada

Description

In this print a women bends over to empty her tobacco pipe on the road. In her other hand she clasps her tobacco pouch. She wears a blue kimono with a repeat circular pattern fastened with a dark blue obi belt that has a floral design. The woman's undergarment is red and she wears a covering over her head to keep her hair clean and carries a straw traveller's hat on her back.
In the background inset, Hiroshige depicts the Suruga Bank of the Oi River. The post-station of Shimada was on the east bank and Kanaya station was on the west. In dry weather it was relatively easy to cross the Oi River but in wetter conditions heavy rainfall would force travellers to delay their journey and wait at the local inns. Hiroshige's Hoeido edition shows many travellers waiting with their luggage on a sandbank in preparation for the river crossing. Some travellers would be carried across in kago and others would sit on the shoulders of porters who waded across.

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

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hats

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Pipes

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Landscape > Land > Mountains

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

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