Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

Good-Natured (Otonashiki)

Maker

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (Japanese, 1797-1858, b. in Edo)
Aritaya Seiemon (Japanese, ca. 19th century), publisher

Culture

Edo

Title

Good-Natured (Otonashiki)
from the series Money Trees for Virtuous Women (Fukutoku kane no naru ki)
Fukutoku kane no naruki

Period

Edo (Japanese period)

Year

1847-1852

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ink, color

Supports

Geography

Place Made: Japan; Place Made: Tokyo

Dimensions

Vertical ōban: 36.7 x 24.8 cm (14 7/16 x 9 3/4 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

[text and poems]
Medetasa no kanai sorotte yanagi kana

The literal translation of the inscription is: felicitously/all the family/come together/willow (yanagi). The looser meaning is that all the family is alive and healthy at the New Year: Happiness is when the entire family is together-the willow tree

Signature: Hiroshige ga

Seals: Censors'seals | Murata Heiemon | Mera Taichiro

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mr. Curtis B. Brooks

Object Number

48.349

Type

Exhibition History

Striking Chords
Music in *Ukiyo-E* Prints
Feb 05, 2022 – Jul 31, 2022

Label copy

A picture of serenity, a seated young woman contemplates her 13-stringed zither (koto) as she prepares to play. Her expression embodies the title of the print, Otonashiki, which can be translated as good-natured, calm, and quiet.

The series title, Money Trees for Virtuous Women, is cleverly visualized by the flowering tree in the upper right: the Japanese hiragana-script branches spell the title of the print, and the blossoms are made of coins. The poem to the left mentions the happiness in store at the willow trees-a metaphor for Yoshiwara, Edo’s government-licensed pleasure district-suggesting that the pleasant nature and musical skills depicted here will bring good fortune.

Prints by Hiroshige
Oct 31, 1961 – Nov 19, 1961

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (Japanese, 1797-1858, b. in Edo)
Aritaya Seiemon (Japanese, ca. 19th century), publisher
Good-Natured (Otonashiki); from the series Money Trees for Virtuous Women (Fukutoku kane no naru ki); Fukutoku kane no naruki, 1847-1852
Polychrome woodblock print
Vertical ōban: 36.7 x 24.8 cm (14 7/16 x 9 3/4 inches)
Gift of Mr. Curtis B. Brooks 48.349

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