Title: Kyoka Shiki Jinbutsu (Picture album of people in the four seasons)
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige, 狂歌四季人物, (1797 – 1859)
Illustration
Label
Period: Edo (1615 – 1868)
Editor: Rōjin Tenmei
Publisher: Unknown, Ansei 2 (tranquil government) (period of 1854 – 1860)
Date: 1855
Medium: Full color, woodblock
Entry
According to the Ronin Gallery, Hiroshige was Born in Edo as Tokutaro Ando. Hiroshige grew up in a minor samurai family and was bestowed with the artist name Hiroshige after only a year apprenticing with the celebrated Utagawa Toyohiro. Hiroshige is famous for his noteworthy series of woodblock prints,The 53 Stations of the Tokaido. Hiroshige’s work captured the journey along the Tokaido road, which was the highway connecting Edo (modern Tokyo) to Kyoto, the imperial capital. Hirosihge influenced the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists of Europe, particularly artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh. Van gogh for example, copied Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo in oil paint.
While looking at the book with Dr. Julie Davis we discovered that the Tress collection may only have part 3 and part 1 of the book collection so this might not be the complete collection. Evidence of this assertion is that we don’t see images providing evidence of fall such as chrysanthemums; also we don’t see images providing evidence of spring such as cherry and plum blossoms. Therefore, we don’t know if the book was separated into parts for a financial reason or other one.
Additionally, I learned that the preface was written by someone other than Rojin and that this was very comparable to books in the U.S. being introduced with a foreword by someone famous. Also in regards to the book, it appears Rojin selected and curated major poets on the right side of the book, while minor poets were included on the left side.
The illustrations capture people as professionals, and everyday people doing activities such as sake wine sellers delivering wine, children playing with kites, horses taking travelers across a waterway, and ladies catching fireflies.
Other Copies
Besides this copy, other copies of this work are owned by UC Berkley, Willams College, and the Metropolitan Museum
Selected Reading
Andō, Hiroshige, and Gian Carlo Calza. Hiroshige: The Master of Nature. Skira, 2009.
Post
Kemuel Benyehudah