Jo and Uba of Takasago Looking at the Rising Sun - Totoya Hokkei

A refined surimono woodblock print by Totoya Hokkei, depicting the legendary couple Jo and Uba as symbols of marital harmony and longevity.

This surimono print by Totoya Hokkei depicts the legendary couple Jo and Uba, figures from the Noh play Takasago. They represent the ideal of a long, harmonious marriage. Jo, the elderly man, holds a rake, while Uba, his wife, rests against a pine tree. The pine tree is a traditional symbol of longevity in Japanese culture, as it remains green throughout the year. The couple is shown observing the rising sun, a motif that reinforces the themes of renewal and enduring life.

Totoya Hokkei was a student of Katsushika Hokusai, and his work reflects the technical precision and refined aesthetic common to the surimono genre. Surimono were privately commissioned prints, often distributed among members of poetry circles. They were produced with high-quality materials, including metallic pigments and embossed paper, to demonstrate the sophistication of the patron. The inclusion of calligraphy on the print indicates that it was likely created for a specific poetic gathering or celebration, where the visual imagery and the accompanying verses were intended to be appreciated together.

The composition balances the figures with the natural elements of the pine and the distant sun. The lines are delicate, characteristic of the surimono style, which prioritised subtle detail over the bold, graphic qualities found in commercial woodblock prints of the period. The muted colour palette, dominated by soft earth tones and subtle washes, creates a contemplative atmosphere. This print serves as a visual representation of a well-known cultural narrative, capturing the essence of the Takasago legend through a restrained and elegant lens. The work remains a fine example of the collaborative nature of Edo-period print culture, where artists, poets, and patrons worked in concert to produce small-scale, highly personal works of art.