hashira-e; print; mitate-e

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hashira-e; print; mitate-e

Object Type: hashira-e; print; mitate-e
Museum number: 1902,0212,0.175
Description: Colour woodblock pillar print, mitate-e. Travesty of Lady Murasaki: Young man of fashion holding writing-brush and sitting on veranda of brothel at Shinagawa, overlooking Edo Bay; with pine-tree, setting sun, horizon with curve. Signed.
Producer name
Cultures/periods
Production date: 1775 (c.)
Production place: Made in: Japan
Materials
Technique: woodblock; colour
Dimensions: Height: 67.50 centimetres; Width: 12.10 centimetres
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: Smith 1988 A young man of fashion sits on the veranda of a brothel at Shinagawa, overlooking Edo (Tokyo) Bay. He is holding a writing-brush. This is a reference to Lady Murasaki, author of 'Genji Monogatari' ('The Tale of Genji', c. AD 1000) sitting in the Ishiyama Temple on Lake Biwa. The pine-tree and setting sun are often shown in this scene. Koryusai has designed the horizon with a curve. The print is signed 'Painted by Koryu'.
Bibliographic references: Binyon 1916 / A Catalogue of Japanese & Chinese Woodcuts Preserved in the Sub-Department of Oriental Prints and Drawings in the British Museum (41); Smith 1988 / Ukiyoe: Images of Unknown Japan (70)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: author/poet; travesty/fancy dress; brothel/brothel-keeper; yatsushi; reading/writing
Associated names
Associated places: Topographic representation of: Shinagawa; Associated with: Ishiyama-dera (Omi); Associated with: Biwa-ko
Acquisition name
Previous owner
Acquisition date: 1902
Department: Asia
Registration number: 1902,0212,0.175

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