Hiroshige Utagawa (1797-1858) after - - Lot 83

Hiroshige Utagawa (1797-1858) after - The 45th station: Ishiyakushi , Japan - Print from the series of 53 Tokaido relay stations, known as "Kyoka Tokaido" - Publisher: Sanoki Edition & Bijyutsushya , supervised by Tokyo National Museum - Size of print : 23.5 x 32.5cm + frame , period : 1960's - Translation of the poem : The temple of lapis lazuli gave its name to the station, Ishiyakushi, the Buddha of precious stones. People donate roof tiles for the temple and the gold donated to the temple shines like jewels for travelers! Signed: Tomogaki Shinren ----------------------------------------------- Following the immense success of the first series of prints of the 53 Tokaido stations, Hiroshige decided to produce almost thirty different versions of this series. This print, embellished with a kyoka poem, is part of the series called "Kyoka Tokaido". Kyoka is a comic style of Japanese poetry, very popular in the 19th century. Known as "crazy poetry", it allows for freer structures in feet, rhymes and double-entendre language levels. This style also allows for Chinese words, vulgar language and zany signatures. Kyoka titles and names often parodied the great classical works.