Kuniyoshi 国芳: Heroic woman Kane-jo and Horse 金女 (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)
Title: Heroic Woman Kane-jo and Horse 金女
Series: Lives of Wise and Heroic Women 賢女烈婦傳 (Kenjo Reppuden)
Date: Ca. 1841-42

The Strong Woman Kane-jo (Okane) holds the reins of a dapple-grey horse. We see a traveling hat and what looks like a lacquer dipper on the ground, and Kane-jo seems to be focused on picking up these items. We may infer that she has used her strength to capture this spirited animal and now is calmly returning to pick up her belongings. Kane-jo is also known as Okane, and her most legendary feat of strength was to capture a runaway horse by stepping on its reins. Here perhaps we see the moment after this heroic feat. She may be here carrying some laundry under her left arm, as she was said to have been carrying a laundry tub at the time of her famous feat.  A refreshing scene of a women who was heroic without the usual role of self-sacrifice for a husband or brother.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Untrimmed and unbacked. 
Dimensions: ôban (36.7 x 25.5 cm)
Publisher: Ibaya Sensaburô
Literature: Robinson S20.14. See British Museum online.
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUY575