Ukiyo-e Educational Catalog · Record 22719

The Swordsmith Okazaki Goro Masamune

Artist / 作者
Utagawa Hiroshige歌川広重
Date / 年代
1843-1847
Medium / 技法
浮世絵 / Ukiyo-e / Edo / vam
Digital record / 画像記録
2000 × 1536 px
Source collection / 所蔵元
Victoria and Albert Museum
Published by / 公開者
白石カナ
Rights / 権利
Commercial license required
Attribution / 表記
Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Catalog note / 解説

This 'uchiwa-e' (rigid fan print) design by Hiroshige is from a series depicting legendary artisans. Ryukatei Tanekazu provided the text inscriptions. Here Hiroshige depicts the great swordsmith Masamune forging a sword with the help of an assistant. His formal dress and the hangings across the doorway indicate the rituals associated with making swords. The text relates that Masamune was born in Kamakura in Sagami Province (modern Kanagawa Prefecture) in the first year of the Bun'ei era (1264). It says that at the age of 17 he left the workshop of his father Yukimitsu to train with Shintogo Kunimitsu. So great were his skills that he became famous throughout the land. Any swordsmith worthy…

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