Personal Encounters for the Eight Views

(Au-mi hakkei, 遇み八けい)

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). Some, and possible all, of these designs exist with the seal of either the publisher Shimizu-ya Naojirô or the publisher Arita-ya Seiemon (Kiyoemon). The prints are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

	View: Actor: Nakamura Kanemon IV as Musashino Shûgetsu (武蔵野秋月) Play: Publisher: Arita-ya Seiemon
	View: Actor: Ichimura Uzaemon XII in the role of Takechi Seiran (武智光秀). Play: Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô
	Another state of the above design also published by Shimizu-ya Naojirô. The gaudy colors indicate a later printing.
	View: Lingering Snow at Shiraga (Shiraga bosetsu, 白髪暮雪) Actor: Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Hige no Ikyu Play: Sukeroku sakura no futae obi Publisher: Arita-ya Seiemon
	The same design published by Shimizu-ya Naojirô
	View: Evening Bell at Mii Temple (Mii no banshô) Actor: Unidentified actor as Izutsu Banshô after upturning the go table Play: Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô
	Title: Yatate no kihan (矢立帰半) View: Returning Sails at Yabase Actor: Sawamura Sojûrô V (probably) as Yadate Kihan jotting in his notebook Play: Publisher: Arita-ya Seiemon
	Another state of the above design published by Shimizu-ya Naojirô
	View: Sunset at Seta Actor: Unidentified actor as the Strong Woman of Seta fighting the police Play: Publisher: Arita-ya Seiemon
	Another state of the above design published by Shimizu-ya Naojirô
	View: Night rain at Romon waterfall (Romon yu, 樓門夜雨) Actor: Ichikawa Danjûrô VII as Watonai Play: Kokusenya kassen Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô
	Another state of the above design
	View: Actor: Onoe Baiko IV as Karigane Bunshichi (雁金文七) and Arashi Jitohachi III as an unnamed actor (right) Play: Publisher: Shimizu-ya Naojirô

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