Kuniyoshi 国芳: Station Hodogaya 保土ヶ谷; Shiozuka Hachiro Reporting to Yura Hyogo

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 国芳 (1798-1861)
Title: Hodogaya (Station Five)
Series: Fifty-three Parallels for the Tôkaidô Road 東海道五十三対  Date: ca. 1845

Yura Hyogo sits on a camp stool, fan in hand, his wife Minato seated beside him. They watch Shiozuka Hachiro performing what looks like a dance, but is actually the reporting of the events  leading to the death of Nitta Yoshioki when his ferry boat was sunk by his enemies in the Ashikaga clan. This story comes from the Taiheiki, the historical epic from the 14th century that recounts the war over the imperial throne. The setting seems to be a battle camp, and Yura Hyogo wears full battle armor, a camp curtain rolled up behind him. Shiozuka Hachiro wears a very serious expression, and his movements are very dramatic. The actual incident of the ferry is shown in the third image from this same series. This would seem to be the earliest variation of this design; note that the cartouche at top left is in the form of a stylized shrimp.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Minor stain upper corner; two tiny wormholes and minor rubbing near cartouche.

Dimensions: ôban 36.7 x 24.4 cm
Publisher: Ebiya  Rinnosuke
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga with his kiri seal
LIterature: See Tôkaidô Texts and Tales, edited by Andreas Marks, page 47, number 5. Robinson S44.5.

SKU: KUY639