Shizuka-gozen-double-page illustration (sheets 14-15) from volume I of the book Ehon Tokiwa-gusa (Picture Book of Evergreens)
Artist
Nishikawa Sukenobu
(Japanese, 1671 – 1750)
Date1731
Mediumwoodblock print; ink on paper; sumizuri-e
Dimensions21 x 32.4 cm (8 1/4 x 12 3/4 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift of Frederick W. Gookin
Object number1933.179
Descriptiondouble-page book illustrationLabel TextIllustration from vol. I of Ehon Tokiwagusa (A Picture Book of Evergreens); signed sakusha gako (author and conceiver) Bunkado Nishikawa Sukenobu (1671-1751); carvers Fujimura Zen'emon and Murakami Gen'emon of Osaka; preface dated 1730 (Kyoho 15); issued by Morita Shotaro of Osaka in the 8th month 1731 (Kyoho 16). Shizuka was a dancing girl in Kyoto who became the mistress of Minamoto Yoshistsune. When Yoritomo sent Tosabo Shoshun to assassinate Yoshitsune, she awaked her lover and thus enabled him to repel his assailants. She was sent back to Kyoto when Yoshitsune was forced to take flight, but Yoritomo had her brought to him in Kamakura where she was forced to dance before him. Angered by Yoritomo's persecution of her lover, Shizuka improvised a love song to him during the dance. Greatly displeased by this, Y
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