Yoshino River in Yamato Province thumbnail 1
Yoshino River in Yamato Province thumbnail 2
Not on display

Yoshino River in Yamato Province

Woodblock Print
1843-1847 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This beautiful 'uchiwa-e' (rigid fan print) design by Hiroshige depicts cherry trees in blossom. They are situated along the Yoshino River in southern Nara Prefecture. We might on first sight think that it is a landscape print, as suggested by the title in the red cartouche. A contemporary Japanese viewer, however, would have immediately recognised it as the famous scene in the play 'Imoseyama Onna Teikin' ('An Example of Noble Womanhood'). The young lovers Koganosuke and Hinadori are deterred from meeting by the long-standing feud between their families. Here they look longingly at each other across the expanse of the Yoshino River. Tragedy ensues as they both choose death in preference to serving Soga no Iruka. He is the country's scheming senior minister, who sends orders via their parents that they should become his retainer and concubine respectively.

Object details

Category
Object type
Titles
  • Yoshino River in Yamato Province (assigned by artist)
  • Famous Places in the Provinces (series title)
Materials and techniques
Colour print from woodblocks
Brief description
Woodblock print, Utagawa Hiroshige I; 'Yoshino River in Yamato Province', from the series 'Famous Places in the Provinces'; fan print, Japanese, 1843-1847
Physical description
Fan print, aiban size. Artist signature: Hiroshige ga. Publisher mark: Ibaya Kyubei. Censor seal: Mera.
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 220mm
  • Approx. width: 290mm
Style
Object history
Purchased from J. S. Happer, accessioned in 1911. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Summary
This beautiful 'uchiwa-e' (rigid fan print) design by Hiroshige depicts cherry trees in blossom. They are situated along the Yoshino River in southern Nara Prefecture. We might on first sight think that it is a landscape print, as suggested by the title in the red cartouche. A contemporary Japanese viewer, however, would have immediately recognised it as the famous scene in the play 'Imoseyama Onna Teikin' ('An Example of Noble Womanhood'). The young lovers Koganosuke and Hinadori are deterred from meeting by the long-standing feud between their families. Here they look longingly at each other across the expanse of the Yoshino River. Tragedy ensues as they both choose death in preference to serving Soga no Iruka. He is the country's scheming senior minister, who sends orders via their parents that they should become his retainer and concubine respectively.
Collection
Accession number
E.545-1911

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Record createdNovember 20, 2003
Record URL
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