Station 34: Futagawa

Category

Library Item

Item no

16281

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 34: Futagawa

Description

Two women, possibly sisters, dressed in identical kimono are portrayed mid-argument. One woman kneels on the ground and raises her hands in self-defence as the other woman looms over her and raises an arm as if to strike her. Both women wear purple and white long sleeved (furisode) kimono with a Genji-mon design. Genji-mon were rectilinear patterns created from the arrangement of incense sticks and were used to announce each chapter in Murasaki Shikibu's early 11th century literary classic, 'The Tale of Genji' (Genji monogatari). Both of the women wear identical yellow obi belts with a check pattern and have ornate blue floral decorations in their hair. On the ground to the side of the crouching woman is a small basket of spring greens. The characters are from an unknown kabuki play that may draw its inspiration from 'The Tale of Genji'. 'Futagawa' meaning 'Two Rivers' is represented by the double imagery of the two identically dressed women.
In the background inset, Hiroshige recreates the plain of Sarugababa with a view of the sea beyond. This scene is very different to Hiroshige's 'Futagawa' edition in the Hoeido Tokaido series. In the Hoeido edition, Hiroshige depicts three itinerant musicians approaching a teashop that serves rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves. Behind the travellers is the plain of Sarugababa. This small party of musicians is made the focus of the 'Maisaka' print in Kunisada and Hiroshige's series, 'Fifty-three stations by two brushes'.

Artist / maker

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)

Engraver

Hori Take (Yokogawa Takejiro)

Date

1855

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:
April 1855, (Rabbit year, 4th 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 subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hair ornaments

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hairstyles

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Landscape > Land > Hills

Landscape > Water > Seas

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

Plants > Trees > Trees

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