Akaguchi [Red Mouth] (5 Shakku, not a good day)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, artist

1797–1861

Akaguchi [Red Mouth] (5 Shakku, not a good day), 1860, 10th month, Edo period (1600–1868)

Portfolio/Series title: Rokuyōsei kuniyoshi jiman (Six Conditions of Nature, Kuniyoshi’s Pride)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Dimensions:
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 358.8 x 250.8 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 14 1/8 x 9 7/8 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in

Credit line: Gift of H. Lee Turner

Accession number: 1968.0001.045

Not on display

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Label texts

Archive Label date unknown:
Kuniyoshi was famous for his designs of warriors and action-packed scenes. The story depicted here is a familiar legend, although meanings of the title and series are not clear now. This vignette shows Ōmori Hikoshichi at a dramatic moment of crisis. The beautiful woman he had gallantly taken on his back to cross a river is reflected in the water as the demon she truly is. Hikoshichi reacts instantaneously by pulling his sword out of its scabbard, ready to do battle with supernatural forces.

Archive Label date unknown:
One version of the story of this print concerns Omori Hikohichi, a vassal of Ashikaga Takauji. At the battle of Minatogawa in 1342, he met a beautiful woman who persuaded him to carry her across a stream. Upon reaching the middle of the stream, Omori saw in the water the demonic relfection of the woman as she really was. The warrior then drew his sword and slew her on the spot.