Sogo at the Ferry Landing—An Authentic View (Sogo watashiba no zu—Shinga)

Artist Kobayashi Kiyochika 小林清親 (Japanese, 1847–1915)

DateFebruary 1884

Mediumwoodblock print, ink and color on paper

ClassificationsPrints

MarkingsSeal: "Matsushima Masayoshi to"

Credit LineGift of Elizabeth and Neil Swinton in honor of James A. Welu

Terms

Object number2011.289

Label TextKiyochika often drew on history and legends as mediated by Kabuki theatre. The Story of Sogoro (or Sogo) was an historical legend that emerged during the mid-18th century and which, in 1851, was expanded into 28-act Kabuki pay (by Segawa Josai III). According to the legend Sogo was a farmer who lived in the mid-17th century in the domain of Sakura (20-odd miles east of Edo). He was crucified for leading a rebellion against the oppressive lord of the domain. Kiyochika chose to depict the most emotional; scene of the paly in this print. Sogoro, who had bravely resolved to lead a delegation of village leaders to carry the farmers' protest to Edo, wished to say his final farewell to his family in village (Kozu) on the other side of Lake Inba. Domain officials, who wanted to prevent such movement across the lake, had chained all the boats. However, a man called Jinbei, who admired Sogoro's noble cause on behalf of the farmers, used a hand axe to cut through the chain that bound his boat (see hand axe and chain in the bow of the boat). He was thus able to ferry Sogoro across the lake and back in the darkness of the snowy winter night. The moment depicted in the print is when Jinbei, now back at the point of their departure, has dropped off Sogoro and is about to leave. Filled with gratitude for Jinbei's selfless kindness, Sogoro falls to his knees and thanks him. While Sogoro then puts on his straw hat and wanders off towards Edo and a grim fate, Jinbei commits suicide by throwing himself into Lake Inba. The Inscription on the left reads: "AH, Jinbei! Ah, Sogo! How righteous you were! How sincere. I beseech those of you who view this picture to feel compassion for them." The poem in the cartouche in the upper right corner of the right-hand sheet (by Wakana) reads: Those who know Will feel the pain concealed in every segment of his water-worn pole Fushigoto ni/kokoro urameshi/minarezo Fukaki nasake wa/shiru hito zo shiruProvenanceElizabeth de Sabato Swinton

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