Posted by John Fiorillo on February 03, 2002 at 22:15:11:
In Reply to: Re: Question on "Travellers Crossing the Oi River" from Hokusai posted by Guy Pepermans on January 31, 2002 at 23:24:18:
Guillaume and Guy,
In this context the character on the large trunk is more likely read as 'ju', which happens to be a character in the name of the publisher, Eijudô You will see the same character on the figure being carried at the lower left. In addition, the publisher's trade mark (a 'magatama', or three commas under a roof or mountain peak) can be seen on the two travelers at the bottom middle. The intention was to identify and "advertise" the publisher in clever ways by working the character or trademark into the composition. Other designs from this series also incorporate the publisher's trademark in a similar manner. For example, in the design for the tea house at Yoshida, the character for 'Ei' (the first part of the publisher's name) accompanies the trademark, further establishing the practice for this series.
John