Utagawa Kuniyoshi

1797-1861

Plover Jewel River in Mutsu Province
(Mutsu no kuni chidori no Tamagawa)

signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga, published by Sanoya Kihei, 1847

oban tate-e triptych 14 5/8 by 30 1/2 in., 37.3 by 77.4 cm

This triptych is from an untitled series of six triptychs pairing bijin with the Mu-Tamagawa (Six Jeweled Rivers), six rivers traditionally celebrated in Japanese art and poetry for their beauty. The Noda Jewel River, also known as Chidori no Tamagawa) ('Plover Jewel River'), linked the town of Shiogama (lit. 'salt kiln') with Tagajo, where the river emptied into the ocean.

References:
Matthi Forrer, The Baur Collection: Japanese Prints, Vol. II, 1994, G396-G39401 (for all six triptychs in the series)
Timothy Clark, Kuniyoshi from the Arthur R. Miller Collection, The British Museum, 2009, p. 162, no. 69
The British Museum, acquisition no. 2008,3037,18613

(inv. no. 10-4924)

price: Sold