The Swordsmith Okazaki Goro Masamune
Woodblock Print
1843-1847 (made)
1843-1847 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This 'uchiwa-e' (rigid fan print) design by Hiroshige is from a series depicting legendary artisans. Ryukatei Tanekazu provided the text inscriptions. Here Hiroshige depicts the great swordsmith Masamune forging a sword with the help of an assistant. His formal dress and the hangings across the doorway indicate the rituals associated with making swords. The text relates that Masamune was born in Kamakura in Sagami Province (modern Kanagawa Prefecture) in the first year of the Bun'ei era (1264). It says that at the age of 17 he left the workshop of his father Yukimitsu to train with Shintogo Kunimitsu. So great were his skills that he became famous throughout the land. Any swordsmith worthy of the name trained with Masamune.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Colour print from woodblocks |
| Brief description | Woodblock print, Utagawa Hiroshige I; 'The Swordsmith Okazaki Goro Masamune', from the series 'A Compendium of Famous Artisans'; fan print, Japanese, 1843-1847 |
| Physical description | Fan print, aiban size. Artist signature: Hiroshige ga. Publisher mark: Ibaya Kyubei. Censor seal: Muramatsu. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | R. Leicester Harmsworth Gift |
| Summary | This 'uchiwa-e' (rigid fan print) design by Hiroshige is from a series depicting legendary artisans. Ryukatei Tanekazu provided the text inscriptions. Here Hiroshige depicts the great swordsmith Masamune forging a sword with the help of an assistant. His formal dress and the hangings across the doorway indicate the rituals associated with making swords. The text relates that Masamune was born in Kamakura in Sagami Province (modern Kanagawa Prefecture) in the first year of the Bun'ei era (1264). It says that at the age of 17 he left the workshop of his father Yukimitsu to train with Shintogo Kunimitsu. So great were his skills that he became famous throughout the land. Any swordsmith worthy of the name trained with Masamune. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.2931-1913 |
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| Record created | November 20, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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