Station 18: Okitsu

Category

Library Item

Item no

16263

Title

Fifty-three stations by two brushes (Sohitsu gojusantsugi). Station 18: Okitsu.

Description

In this print a blind masseur is shown massaging the shoulders of his female client. He is dressed in relatively plain navy blue kimono tied at the waist with a brown narrow belt. The woman wears a long sleeved blue kimono decorated with a floral motif. The upper part of the kimono is made from a red fabric with a hexagonal repeat pattern. Her collar is made from a blue and white tie-dyed (shibori) fabric and her obi belt has a red and white star burst design. To the left, there are two bamboo cases upon which rests two travellers' hats.
In the background inset, Hiroshige has depicted the beach of Miho with its many pine trees. The large conical nets of fishermen stand on the shore. The Okitsu print in Hiroshige's Hoeido series shows travellers crossing the Okitsu River with the beach of Miho in the background.

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.

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Related images

Related subjects

Agriculture and fisheries > Equipment > Nets

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

People > Health and safety > Masseurs

Places > Asia > Japan

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