Station 15: Yoshiwara

Category

Library Item

Item no

16260

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 15: Yoshiwara

Description

In this print, a Buddhist monk is seated on the ground with his legs tucked up into his chest. He stares upwards, perhaps admiring the view of Mount Fuji that appears in Hiroshige's landscape inset. Next to the monk lies his woven hat and bamboo walking stick. The monk has a shaved head and wears a black robe and the straw sandals traditionally worn by travellers and pilgrims.
In the background, Hiroshige presents a view of Mount Fuji viewed through the trunks of towering pine trees. The Hoeido series also depicts Mount Fuji but focuses on the raised pathway that cuts through the fields.

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 > Accessories > Walking sticks

Clothing and dress > Garments > Robes

Landscape > Land > Mountains

People > Adults > Men

People > Religion > Monks

Places > Asia > Japan

Plants > Trees > Pine trees

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