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HIROSHIGE, Utagawa (1797 - 1858)

Ogura Imitation of the Hundred Poets no. 75: Fujiwara no Mototoshi

Signed:                   Hiroshige ga, with kiri seal. Publisher:              Iba-ya Sensaburo Date:                       1845-48 Size:                        oban tate-e (c. 36 x 24.5 cms / c. 14 1/8" x 9 1/2") Condition: Very good impression and color; very minor surface soil, else in very good condition. Two other designs from this series, by Utagawa KUNIYOSHI, are shown in this Gallery section, as well. ref. no.:              # 766056 Price:                 € 650.00

Poem and portrait of Fujiwara no Mototoshi. - The girl, Umegawa, under a willow tree, observes the approach of old Magoemon on a dyke across the paddy-fields, while Kameya Chûbei hides behind a rice-stook. The complete series consists of 100 designs, 51 are by Kuniyoshi, 35 by Hiroshige, andf 14 by Kunisada. The set is numbered throughout in the left-hand margin. - The main subjects are mostly from history and legend, but as the series proceeds the dramatic (kabuki) element becomes increasingly prominent. The upper part of each print is divided off and contains, on the right, the title in large formal script; on the left, the name and poem of the poet concerned. For a detailed description of what is depicted in the print, including the translatiuon of the poem, see: - Herwig / Mostow, The Hundred Poets Compaired; Hotei Publishing; Leiden & Boston, 2007; no. 75, pp. 184-85.

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