Kuniyoshi 国芳: Night Rain at the Hunting Ground 狩り場夕雨)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)
Title: Night rain at the hunting ground (Kariba no ya-u, 狩り場夕雨)

Series: Virtuous Women for the Eight Views (Kenjo hakkei, 賢女八景) Date: 1842-43

Tegoshi no Shôshô waiting in the rain to guide the Soga brothers to their revenge against Suketsune, who was responsible for the death of their father. She holds a lantern with her sleeve-draped arm, indicating the way towards the location of Suketsune. The rain is falling like a dark curtain that looks almost impenetrable and feels like a foreboding of the tragic fate that will befall the brothers. Tegoshi is the lover of Soga no Goro, and she looks surprisingly relaxed as she plays a part in their story.

The Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers developed in 11th c. China as a formalized series of landscape paintings; the concept was imported by the Japanese in numerous landscape series. Here, the eight views are compared with virtuous women from Japanese legends and history. Portraying virtuous women also aligned with the demands of the authorities during the Tenpo Reforms, which were also strongly influencing the art of ukiyo-e artists at this time.

Condition: Excellent impression and color. Good condition. Trimming at top. Dimensions: 35 x 12  cm
Publisher: Iba-ya Sensaburô
Literature:  Robinson 1982 S21.7;  See British Museum.  Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUY627