An Original Perspective Print: The Brazier of Elegance and the Bell of Damnation (Fūga hibachi muken no kane uki-e kongen)

Artist Okumura Masanobu 奥村政信 (Japanese, 1686–1764)

Date1740s

Mediumwoodblock print; ink on paper, hand-colored; beni-e, tan-e

DimensionsHorizontal ō-ōban: 30.5 x 43.8 cm (12 x 17 1/4 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.872

Label TextThe print is a parody (mitate) of the tribulations of Umegae, a famous Osaka courtesan. Umegae was a celebrated courtesan of Osaka who was loved by Kajiwara Genda Kagesue, a young man who having spent all his money on her pawned his armor just before he was to be called to assist Minamoto no Yoshitsune. Hearing of his plight, Umegae remembered the report concerning the bell at Muken-san temple on the Tokaido. It was said that anyone praying and striking the bell could obtain money. Since Umegae was to far away to go to the temple she seized her bronze water vessel (chozubachi) and beat upon it, calling upon the god of Hell, whereupon someone in the house heard her and threw out a large number of gold coins (koban) which she used to recover the pawned armor of Kagesue. Thereafter he always used the plum blossom

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