Comparisons of Women to the Hundred and Eight Heroes of "The Water Margin" [Tsûzoku suikoden gôketsu hyaku hachi nin no hitori]: Seidôjin (Woman caught in a rainstorm)

Accession Number
2002/2.91

Title
Comparisons of Women to the Hundred and Eight Heroes of "The Water Margin" [Tsûzoku suikoden gôketsu hyaku hachi nin no hitori]: Seidôjin (Woman caught in a rainstorm)

Artist(s)
Utagawa Kuniyasu

Object Creation Date
1825-1832

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
14 13/16 in. x 10 1/16 in. ( 37.6 cm x 25.5 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Barrows

Label copy
Gallery Rotation Fall 2013
Utagawa Kuniyasu
Japan, 1794–1832
Comparisons of Women to the 108 Heroes of Outlaws of the Marsh: Seidôjin
Edo period (1615–1868)
1825–32
Color woodblock print on paper
Gift of Herbert Barrows, 2002/2.91

Subject matter
The "Outlaws of the Marsh" is a piece of classical Chinese literature. The core plot behind the story is called "108 Stars of Destiny." In this portion of the story, it is told that 108 demons were reborn as 108 heroes. The image of this woman is designed to represent one of these 108 heroes from the story, though which one is unclear.

Physical Description
An image of an elagantly dressed woman in a complex kimono. The kimono consists of various flower images along the base and near the back. The lowest level of material depicts blue flowers with butterflies. Near the back of the kimono are yellow, orange, white, and blue flowers. In this same area are two crests. Another segment of the kimono, shown at the front, displays red and white stripes. The woman also wears high black sandles which can be seen poking out beneath the kimono and an elaborate gold headpiece. Behind her is a small figure, possibly a male attendant, looking up and behind the woman at the white flowers shown in the top left corner of the image. The attendant wears a blue kimono and hat with flower print and the same red and white striped material around his waist. A text inscription is above the attendant's head.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
adaptations
kimono
woman

1 Related Resource

Japan Pax Tokugawa 1600-1868
(Part of: Empires and Colonialism)

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted