Station 22: Okabe

Category

Library Item

Item no

16268

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 22: Okabe

Description

The figure in this print is (Okabe) Rokuyata from the kabuki play 'Ichinotani Futaba Gunki' and the actor is Arashi Kichisaburo III. The warrior wears a red coat patterned with the Rokuyata goshi trellis design This repeat design was first popularised by kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII and was developed from the Ichikawa mimasu crest. The warrior's armour is based on the clothing worn by the Inomata group of Geji (Minamoto) warriors. In the 12th century war epic the Tale of Heike (Heike Mongatari), Okabe no Rokuyara no Tadazumi is able to identify his slain opponent, the Heike (Taira) Lord Tadanori, from a signed poem he finds attached to the dead man's quiver. In the poem, Tadanori reflects how cherry blossom might offer him shelter and become his host for the evening. In the print a tanzaku poetry slip hangs from the branch of cherry blossom in Rokuyata's hand.
In the background inset, Hiroshige depicts a hilly landscape covered with snow. Hiroshige's Hoeido print presents a completely different interpretation of the landscape and focuses on the travellers and woodcutters that use the narrow pass through Utsu valley.
The theme of this print is comparable to 'Okabe' in Kunisada's '53 Stations of the Tokaido' series of diptychs that was published in 1852 by Iseya, Tsujiokaya, Izutsuya and others.

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 > Garments > Coats

Landscape > Land > Hills

Natural phenomena > Weather > Snow

People > Adults > Men

People > Entertainment and sports > Actors

Places > Asia > Japan

Plants > Flowers > Cherry blossom

Sport and leisure > Activities > Kabuki theatre

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