Heroes for the Eight Views

(Gôketsu hakkei, 豪傑八罫)

Publisher: Tsuji-Kawa

1847-1848

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 Japanese heroes in this series of prints.  The prints in this series are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

 

View: Autumn Moon at Toba (Toba akizuki, 鳥羽秋月)

Hero: Endô Musha Moritô

Robinson: S52.1

 

View: Lingering Snow at the hermit’s cell

Hero:  Miyamoto Musashi on his way to see Bukoden

Robinson: S52.2

 

View: Evening Glow at Hyôgo (Hyogo yusho, 兵庫夕照)

Hero: Heishôkoku Kiyomori Nyûdô Jôkai

Robinson: S52.3

 

View: Vesper Bells at Nara (Nanto no bansho, 南都の晩鐘)

Hero: Kadzusa Shichibei Kagekiyo

Robinson: S52.4

 

View: Returning Boats at Hakata (Hakata kihan, 博多帰帆)

Hero: The pirate, Kezori Kuyemon, in European clothes

Robinson: S52.5

 

View: Clearing Weather at Mt. Shimahiro

Hero: Musashi Gorô Sadayo defending himself against a flight of arrows at the battle of Mt. Shimahiro

Robinson: S52.6

 

View: Night Rain at Kurama

Hero: Onzôshi Ushiwaka Maru holding his straw hat under a stream of water

Robinson: S52.7

 

View: Homing Geese at Ôkawa (Ôkawa rakugan, 大川落雁)

Hero: Ôkawa Kumoyemon carrying a bow

Robinson: S52.8

“Robinson” refers to listing in Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints by Basil William Robinson (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1982) and its privately published supplement.

 

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