Station 2: Shinagawa

Category

Library Item

Item no

16388

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 2: Shinagawa (Sohitsu gojusantsugi)

Description

In this print one woman, possibly a hairdresser, is busy combing the long hair of a second woman. The seated woman patiently smokes a pipe and reads a 'kibyoshi' or paperback while the other woman styles her hair. The novel with its distinctive yellow cover has been placed over the dressing table's mirror transforming it into a lectern. This lady wears a red kimono with a 'shibori' or tie-dyed starburst pattern. The sleeves and hemline are edged with a sage green striped fabric. On the floor beside her there is a small portable lacquer box with a carrying handle.
The hairdresser wears a kimono that has been gradation dyed so that just below the waist the fabric of the kimono turns from purple to green. The kimono's hem is decorated with a blossom design. The woman's obi belt is sage green with a swirling black floral motif, this has been tied at the front.
Behind the woman, in an inset, is a view of the seashore. Sailboats and punts float on the calm water of Edo Bay.
In Hiroshige's Hoeido series the subject matter of the Shinagawa print is a daimyo's procession. This has been replaced in 'Fifty-three stations by two brushes' with two stylish women.
Shinagawa was the first post station on the Tokaido after the road began at Nihonbashi. During the Edo period this area was made busy by crowds of travellers, and became the location for teahouses, pleasure quarters and restaurants. Shinagawa was both an unlicensed pleasure district and the location for the Suzugamori execution grounds.

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)

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's 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 > Accessories > Hairstyles

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Landscape > Land > Bays

Landscape > Water > Seas

People > Adults > Women

People > Commercial activities > Hairdressers

Places > Asia > Japan

Sport and leisure > Activities > Reading and books

Transport > Water > Boats

Option	Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG	£6.10(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF	£31.00(inc. VAT 20%)
You can view and use digital images for personal and educational use. For more information, read our policy on image use. If you wish to use our images for commercial use, please contact us.