The series ‘Fifty-three Parallels for the Tokaido Road’ became famous for its striking designs and stories illustrated, but also because of the collaboration between publishers and three important artists of the day. Kuniyoshi produced thirty-one prints for the series, Hiroshige nineteen and Kunisada the remaining eight, adding up to more than the ‘fifty-three’ prints implied in the title. Each print has a cartouche at the top with explanatory text on the stories drawn from folklore and history associated with the post-stations of Tokaido.
On the roadway which ran between Edo and Kyoto there was a famous stone called ‘Nightly Weeping Rock’. The legend of this rock concerns a pregnant woman who was travelling from Niisaka to Kanaya to meet her long absent husband. She was set upon by a thief who ruthlessly murdered her. Her blood fell on a rock nearby; it then became the abode of her spirit and was said to cry out every night. Kuniyoshi’s print is a dramatic design which shows the sorrowing ghost of the dead woman appearing before her husband, who holds their child in his arms. The ghost has just handed the baby to her husband and now tells him the story of the murder, and how Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, had rescued the baby.
The Woodblock Print
This oban-sized woodblock is in fine to very fine condition; full margins, exceptional color and detail. Clear verso, some staining and rubbing in the margins. A center-fold crease.
About the Artist
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川 国芳, January 1, 1798 – April 14, 1861) was a Japanese artist who was active during the Edo period, from the late 18th to mid-19th century. He was born in 1797 in Edo, which is now Tokyo, and was the son of a silk-dyer. Kuniyoshi was known for his bold and dynamic ukiyo-e prints, which depicted a wide range of subjects, including historical scenes, kabuki actors, and mythical creatures.
Kuniyoshi began his artistic training as an apprentice in a print shop, where he learned to design and carve woodblocks. He later studied under the ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Toyokuni, who was a prominent figure in the Edo period. Kuniyoshi developed his own distinctive style, which was characterized by bold lines, vibrant colors, and exaggerated forms.
Kuniyoshi’s prints were highly popular during his lifetime, and he was considered one of the leading artists of the Edo period. His depictions of kabuki actors, in particular, were highly sought after by collectors, as they captured the essence of the dramatic performances that were popular in Japan at the time.
One of Kuniyoshi’s most famous series of prints is the “One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Suikoden,” which depicts the exploits of a group of Chinese bandits. The series was highly influential and inspired other artists, including the French Impressionist Edgar Degas. Kuniyoshi also created prints that depicted historical events and legends, which were notable for their vivid colors and dynamic compositions.
Despite his success as an artist, Kuniyoshi faced challenges in his personal life. He was accused of producing prints that were critical of the shogunate, which led to him being placed under surveillance by the government. He was also deeply affected by the death of his son, which led to a decline in his health and artistic output.
Kuniyoshi died in 1861 at the age of 63, but his legacy lives on. His prints continue to be highly regarded for their technical skill and artistic merit, and they are housed in major art institutions around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum in London.
Sources:
- “Utagawa Kuniyoshi,” The Art Institute of Chicago
- “Utagawa Kuniyoshi,” National Gallery of Art
- “Utagawa Kuniyoshi,” Encyclopædia Britannica
- “Utagawa Kuniyoshi,” The Metropolitan Museum of Art
