Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Production date:1844-47

“The Anecdote of Roppon-matsu (Six Pine Trees)” is a tragic story of Yoshitsune’s lover Princess Joruri. On the way back to his hometown Oushu, Yoshitsune fell in love with Joruri at Yahagi post station. After Yoshitsune’s departure, she tried to follow him but died at Kambara and buried at this place. Six pine trees were planted as the mark of Joruri’s burial. Joruri’s tragic love story was passed down from generation to generation and became the origin of the performing art of joruri, a narrative song sung by a singer accompanied with a shamisen (the three-stringed musical instrument) tune.
From the shamisen illustrated on the back the lady, it is considered she is a musical performer. She is enjoying a relaxed time without setting her newly washed hair.

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.)