Description
Depicted in this triptych is Ushiwakamaru, who would later be known as the great warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune. He is being led by a servant with a lantern to a secret meeting with the bashful Princess Joruri. According to the 15th century story, Joruri, the daughter of Yoshioka Ki’ichi, fell in love with Ushiwakamaru during a brief visit and then committed suicide when he left to continue his journey. The princess stands inside the doorway, holding her sleeve to her mouth, her kimono trailing onto the floor around her. The warrior pauses on the stepping stones in the garden, looking over his shoulder to admire the full moon softly glowing overhead, a flute in his hand.
Copyright Statement
Details
Title
- The Secret Assignation of Ushiwakamaru and Princess Joruri
- 牛若丸 浄瑠璃姫 之 舘忍 圖
Contributors
- Toyohara Chikanobu (Artist)
- 豊原 周延 (Artist)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
1887
Resource Type
Collections this item is in
Identifier
- Identifier TypeLocally defined identifierIdentifier ValueASUM 2008.023.005
Note
- Vertical ōban. Dimensions: 20 x 36 in. (50.80 x 91.44 cm)
- Artist’s signature: Yōshū Chikanobu hitsu 楊洲 周延 筆
- Artist’s seal: (red toshidama)
- Date of publication seal: Meiji ni-jū nen, ku-gatsu jū-ni nichi (Meiji 20, Sept. 12) 明治二十年・九月十二日, otodoke 御届
- Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter
- Chikanobu was one of the leading printmakers of the Meiji era (1868-1912), creating numerous triptychs. His subject is often Japan’s glorious past and mythological legends. He frequently designed scenes with women and children. In a time when Japan was striving to become “Westernized,” Chikanobu concentrated on traditional values of the old Japan.
- This print may also be found at the Japanese Art Open Database (JAODB): http://www.jaodb.com/db/ItemDetail.asp?item=32548&varscholar=&varlanguage=E, opens in a new window
