資料名 |
Akasaka, from the series “Fifty-three Pairings for the Toukaidou Highway” |
解説 |
Utagawa Hiroshige Production date:1844-47 Mt. Miyaji, which is located close to the Akasaka post station is famous as the viewing spot of autumn foliage. The figure illustrated on the right and holding a biwa (Japanese lute) is Fujiwara no Moronaga, a court noble of the late Heian period. According to the caption, when Moronaga played the lute while viewing the autumn leaves, a beautiful maiden appeared and sung to the lute accompaniment. This maiden is the avatar of the water god, and she confessed that she appeared in front of him attracted by the beautiful tune that he played. After that, she disappeared immediately. This is a part of the Toukaidou series ukiyo-e, but unlike the other works that focus on the landscapes and views of post stations, in this series the scenes based on legends, tales, kabuki drama, and joururi plays that relate to each post station are illustrated. On the upper part of each work, an explanatory note is written and the picture relates to the notes is illustrated on the lower half. This series was rare since three very popular artists from Utagawa School, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi and Kunisada (Toyokuni III) were all involved to produce the series together. Furthermore, six publishers were collaborated to produce this series. (In this exhibition, works by Utagawa Hiroshige and Utagawa Kuniyoshi are displayed.) |
資料番号 |
10128 |
