Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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An original painting, sumi and light colour on paper, 34.25 x 11.5 in; 87 x 29 cm. Shows a seated courtesan, her summer robe with a water wheel and wave motif. A beautiful poem above which has been translated by Joel Earle:

TITLE The title of the painting is 蓴 (jun, nunawa), the aquatic plant Brasenia schreberi, commonly known as watershield. TRANSCRIPTION 中々尓夢路耳河者ゝ袖飛きてい者まほし幾尓あ那ら聲尓天 Naka naka ni / yumeji ni kawamono wa / sode hikite / iwama hoshiki ni / anara koe nite TRANSLATION Ah, how vexing! In the path of dreams where I travel towards you, you draw near like a flowing river and tug at my sleeve. I long to speak—but your alluring voice leaves me breathless. COMMENTARY Title The painting’s title, nunawa, is a metaphor for a courtesan, kawaramono who inhabits in the Floating World of Water, referring to the lively, impermanent realm of riverside quarters, performers, and night-time entertainment. Text 中々に naka naka ni. Conveys a sense of frustration, of “things not going as one wishes”, especially in love. 夢路に yumeji ni. “On the path of dreams”. Not just “in a dream” but on the classical path in which one travels to meet a beloved in dreams, and by extension, the road to the pleasure quarters. 河者ゝ kawamono ya. This term is tricky and layered. It literally evokes a river’s flow, something that comes toward you, but in Edo usage, 河者 kawamono or 河原者 kawaramono could be a derogatory term for performers, kabuki actors, entertainers, etc.—people who “flow in and out” of the pleasure world. 袖ひきて sode hikite. A classic gesture: pulling the sleeve to invite or entice. 言はまほしきに iwama hoshiki ni. A clear wish or desire: “I want to speak (to you)”. あなら聲にて anara koe nite. A seductive, alluring voice, indicating softness and charm.

The painting is in the Shijo style which employs the rapid and dexterous use of a brush loaded with pigment to achieve tonality without initial drawing or outline. While the results can be detailed, they often capture the essence of a subject in an abbreviated manner.

Signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal. Rare. See my Hiroshige painting blog. Recently cleaned and remounted with futomaki and new box.

Status: Available

Price:  £14,500