Kuniyoshi 国芳: Yamauba And Matsui Tamajirô and Snakes (Matsuida Station)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)
Title: Yamauba And Matsui Tamajirô and Snakes (Matsuida Station)
Series: Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidô Road  木曾街道六十九次之内
Date:1852

We see our hero looking with interest at several snakes who have taken to the water, swimming to reach the other side. Next to Matsui Tamijirô we see the famous Yamauba, mother of the child superhero Kintarô. Yamauba is variously referred to as everything from a Mountain Witch to a Mountain Goddess. Here she is explaining why the snakes are crossing the river, and she relaxes against the cliff, her garments cloaked with leaves and a monkey by her side. We have another print that shows Matsui Tomijiro Shigenaka from the series “Biography of our Countriy’s Swordsmen”, where he is also looking down at snakes.

Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition. With minor binding holes at left and a minor discoloration in the title cartouche. 
Dimensions: ôban (36 x 24.5 cm)
Publisher: Hayashiya Shôgorô
Literature: See Sarah Thompson’s “The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidô”, figure 17, page 50. See MFA. Robinson S74. 52.
Seal: kiri
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUY584