Spring Mountains, no. 2 thumbnail 1
Spring Mountains, no. 2 thumbnail 2
+3
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Japan: Myths to Manga

Spring Mountains, no. 2

Woodblock Print
ca. 1830 (Made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Even without the second pair of prints that would have formed the right-hand half of this work, Hokkei’s composition is full of dynamism and interest. Two tengu (bird-like mythical creatures) tumble headlong against the backdrop of a waterfall, while the legendary mountain hag Yamauba (sometimes Yamamba) sits at the foot of a tree.

Half human and half spirit, Yamauba trapped and devoured travellers and children. However, she also took in and raised the orphan Kintaro, a popular hero in Japanese tales, and as such she is sometimes depicted as a motherly figure.

These two prints are examples of surimono: privately published prints produced in small numbers, often to private commission. Not intended for commercial production, such prints are often of the highest quality, employing expensive papers and labour-intensive techniques.


Object details

Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Woodblock Print
  • Woodblock Print
Titles
  • Spring Mountains, no. 2 (assigned by artist)
  • Yamauba and tengu (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Woodblock print diptych, 'Spring Mountains, No. 2' by Totoya Hokkei, surimono print, Japan, ca. 1830
Pap, Japan, prints
Physical description
Vertical diptych print, two tengu (bird-like mythical creatures) fly down to Yamauba who holds an axe
Styles
Credit line
Given by the Misses Alexander
Summary
Even without the second pair of prints that would have formed the right-hand half of this work, Hokkei’s composition is full of dynamism and interest. Two tengu (bird-like mythical creatures) tumble headlong against the backdrop of a waterfall, while the legendary mountain hag Yamauba (sometimes Yamamba) sits at the foot of a tree.

Half human and half spirit, Yamauba trapped and devoured travellers and children. However, she also took in and raised the orphan Kintaro, a popular hero in Japanese tales, and as such she is sometimes depicted as a motherly figure.

These two prints are examples of surimono: privately published prints produced in small numbers, often to private commission. Not intended for commercial production, such prints are often of the highest quality, employing expensive papers and labour-intensive techniques.
Collection
Accession number
E.3825:1, 2-1916

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Record createdNovember 23, 2006
Record URL
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