Japanese Prints #004: The tragic tale of Yaoya Oshichi & Kichisaburō.
A wonderful image by Hiromitsu Takahashi entitled: “お七 A (Oshichi A)”. Oshichi (Yaoya Oshichi (八百屋お七)(1667-1683)) is a celebrated figure in Japanese history, culture, and storytelling - particularly immortalised in 歌舞伎 kabuki & 文楽 bunraku theatre.
The tale tells the tragic story of a young Yaoya-Oshichi whose home was destroyed by fire in Edo, 1682. Falling in love with a young man named Kichisaburō whom she stayed with at a temple; she soon fell heartbroken, unable to see him after having returned home. Desperate, mad with longing, & in belief they could be reunited once more - Oshichi set fire to her home & surrounding area in hope to return to the temple and be with Kichisaburō. Arrested for attempted arson, Yaoya-Oshichi was burned at the stake at Suzugamori in 1683.
Depicted in ukiyo-e through the centuries by many of the great masters; scenes often capture Oshichi climbing/standing alongside a ladder or fire-tower - a poignant symbol of Oshichi's desperate actions driven by love & attempt to escape the fire/sound the temple fire alarm in order to be with Kichisaburo. Hiromitsu’s piece echoes this beautiful story in modern/contemporary printmaking. We can see his Onnagata figure (a male actor performing female roles in kabuki theatre) of Yaoya Oshichi standing before her ladder. A beautiful piece.
大経寺 Daikyo-ji Temple: Historic Site & Suzugamori Execution Ground Ruins. https://daikyoji.jp
月岡 芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) | Title: Yaoya Oshichi Climbing The Fire Watchtower To Look At Her Burning House.
喜多川 歌麿 Kitagawa Utamaro (ca. 1754–1806) | 当世恋歌八契 お七と吉三郎 | Title: The Lovers Oshichi and Kichisaburo. The MET Museum Collection. https://www.metmuseum.org.
歌川芳綱 Utagawa Yoshitsuna | 八百屋お七 小姓吉三 | Title: Yaoya Oshichi and Koshô Kichiza.