Personal Encounters for the Eight Views

(Au-mi hakkei, 遇躬八藝)

Publishers: Shimizu-ya Naojirô and Arita-ya Seiemon

1848

In eleventh century China, eight views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers developed as a formalized series of landscape paintings. They represented views of the rivers and wetlands around Lake Dongting. The same eight views–autumn moon, lingering snow, evening glow, vesper bells, returning boats, clearing weather, night rain and homing geese–are likened to scenes from kabuki plays in this series of prints. This series is listed as number 178 in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The series was originally published by Shimizu-ya Naojirô, and then reprinted at a later date with the seal of the publisher Arita-ya Seiemon. The series title is a pun. Instead of Ômi hakkei (eight views of Ômi) it reads au-mi hakkei (personal encounters for the eight views). The last kanji of the series title () is atypical, and may alternatively be rendered as 警, 藝, or in modern shinjitai, as芸. The prints are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for his contributions to this section.

View: Autumn Moon on Musashi Moor (Musashino shûgetsu, 武蔵野秋月)

Actors: Nakamura Kanemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei and Arashi Kanjûrô II (probably) as Giheiji Mikawaya

Play: Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami (夏祭浪花鑑)

Text: 夏祭り泥へ刎出す鯲なへおさへる蓋や月の花だし— 梅屋 (poem by Umenoya Kakuju)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Another state published by Arita-ya Seiemon

View: Clearing Weather for Takechi (Takechi seiran, 武智晴嵐)

Actor: Ichimura Uzaemon XII in the role of Takechi Mitsuhide (武智光秀)

Play: Go hiiki Hisago no sashimono (御贔屓瓢簪)

Date: 5^th month of 1848

Theater: Ichimura

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

A simplified state of the above design also published by Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Another state published by Arita-ya Seiemon

View: Twilight Snow on White Hair (Shiraga bosetsu, 白髪暮雪)

Actor: Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Hige no Ikyu (髭の意休)

Play: Sukeroku sakura no futae obi (助六桜の二重帯)

Text: 青簾かゝくるさとへ香炉峰もたすかしらの雪の夕暮 梅屋 (poem by Umenoya Kakuju)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Another state published by Arita-ya Seiemon

View: Evening Bell at the Well (Izutsu banshô, 井筒盤上)

Actor: Unidentified actor upturning a go table

Play: Gion Sairei Shinkôki (祇園祭礼信仰記)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Another state published by Arita-ya Seiemon

Detail of an early printing. Although not obvious in this image, the black is glossy or burnished. This technique is called shomenzuri (正面摺).

A simplified edition of the above design

I am grateful to William Robinson for this keyblock print of the above design.

Title: Yatate kihan (矢立帰半)

View: Returning Sails at Yabase

Actor: Sawamura Sojûrô V as Gofukuya Jûbei jotting in his notebook

Play: Probably Igagoe dôchû sugoroku (伊賀越道中双六)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Another state published by Arita-ya Seiemon

Another state without a publisher’s seal

View: Banner in Evening Glow (Hata no sekishô, 籏乃夕照)

Actor: Possibly Bandô Shûka I as Koman

Play: Genpei Nunobiki Taki (源平布引滝)

Text: 切ぬけて湖に入日も落人のあはれたゝよふ波の白はた 梅屋 (poem by Umenoya Kakuju)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Another state of the above design also published by Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Another state published by Arita-ya Seiemon

View: Evening Rain at Tower Gate (Rômon yau, 楼門夜雨)

Actor: Ichikawa Danjûrô VII as Watonai (和藤内)

Play: Kokusenya kassen (国性爺合戦)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Another state of the above design also published by Shimizu-ya Naojirô

View: Wild Geese Returning to Kiyokawa (Kiyokawa rakugan, 清川落鴈)

Actor: Onoe Baiko IV as Karigane Bunshichi (雁金文七) and Arashi Otohachi as an unnamed character (right)

Play: Possibly Gonin otoko ikiji no hana kurabe (五人男侠花姿競)

Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

Kuniyoshi’s paulownia flower seal	Seal of the publisher Shimizu-ya Naojirô	Seal of the publisher Arita-ya Seiemon	Seal of the woodblock carver Hori Take

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN PAGE