Yoshitoshi 芳年: I Want to Travel Overseas 洋行がしたい (Woman and western book) (Sold)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 芳年 )1839-1892)
Title:  I Want to Travel Overseas 見立多以尽 - 洋行がしたい

Series: A Collection of Desires  見立多以尽 (Mitate tai zukushi) Date: 1878

“I want to go abroad” (Yoko gashitai). A young woman wistfully gazes down at a book with western characters, although the letters and language are invented by the artist and do not correspond with Romaji. The book in front of her is a hardback edition using the western binding tradition. She wears plaid long sleeves that have western-style cuffs and buttons, and sits in a western-style chair, and the tablecloth would also seem to be of an imported design. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has translated the title for this print as “Wish for Foreign Travel”.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Library has a full transcription of the text on the print on its website. AI has offered the following approximate, interpretive translation: “Raised in the seclusion of the inner chambers, cherished deeply by her parents as the jewel in their hands and the flower in their care, how can a young woman, though regarded as delicate and sheltered, make her fame resound throughout the five continents? Through the accomplishments of learning and the uprightness of her conduct. Even a country girl, longing for the fragrance of the plum blossom, the emblem of literary learning, may begin like a nightingale in the winter-bare branches, with the first chirping exercises of spelling. If she applies herself diligently, undeterred by rain or snow, then in the coming spring her voice will sing with a value beyond gold. Whether she becomes a salaried woman, or is honored as one who reads the sacred scriptures, all depends upon this one thing alone: learning. Written by the writer Tentendō Shujin.”

The Tokyo Metropolitan Library adds that in 1871, five Japanese women and girls were sent to the United States as part of the Iwakura Mission. One of these children was Umeko Tsuda (津田梅子), only about six years old at the time. She later became a prominent figure in Japanese women’s education, attending Bryn Mawr College and eventually founding what became Tsuda University. Upon her return to Japan from the US in 1882, she became the tutor of the children of Ito Hirobumi, the first prime minister of Japan. It is her visage that is featured on today’s 5000-yen banknote.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Paper has areas of wrinkles. Unbacked and untrimmed

Dimensions: ôban (37 x 25.5 cm) Publisher: Inoue
Literature: Keyes 370.19. See the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection. Signature: Ôju taiso Yoshitoshi

SKU: YOT960