The Sculptor Hidari Jingoro thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Sculptor Hidari Jingoro

Woodblock Print
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 legendary sculptor Hidari Jingoro. He is asleep in his workshop with his woodcarvings coming to life around him. Behind him a doll has come out of its box to assume the form of a young girl. Above him a dragon is breaking loose from a carved panel propped up against the wall to the left. Even the carving block on which he is leaning is starting to turn into a lion-dog. The text states that Hidari Jingoro was a native of Fushimi in Yamashiro Province (modern Kyoto Prefecture). It claims that he is so well known that no more needs to be said about him. It then explains that his son and grandson, both of whom were also highly skilled carvers, were called Soshin and Hidari Masakatsu.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • The Sculptor Hidari Jingoro (assigned by artist)
  • A Compendium of Famous Artisans (series title)
Materials and techniques
Colour print from woodblocks
Brief description
Woodblock print, Utagawa Hiroshige I; 'The Sculptor Hidari Jingoro', 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
  • Approx. height: 220mm
  • Approx. width: 290mm
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 legendary sculptor Hidari Jingoro. He is asleep in his workshop with his woodcarvings coming to life around him. Behind him a doll has come out of its box to assume the form of a young girl. Above him a dragon is breaking loose from a carved panel propped up against the wall to the left. Even the carving block on which he is leaning is starting to turn into a lion-dog. The text states that Hidari Jingoro was a native of Fushimi in Yamashiro Province (modern Kyoto Prefecture). It claims that he is so well known that no more needs to be said about him. It then explains that his son and grandson, both of whom were also highly skilled carvers, were called Soshin and Hidari Masakatsu.
Collection
Accession number
E.2932-1913

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Record createdNovember 20, 2003
Record URL
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