Catalog record · 目録番号 131173

The Niwaka Festival in the Yoshiwara

Catalog note / 解説

The Yoshiwara pleasure district in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) traditionally hosted the Niwaka Festival in the eighth month of the year. Many prints portray the dances performed by beautiful courtesans and entertainers on this occasion, but here Kiitsu depicts the Lion Dance that formed a part of the festivities. Kiitsu's minimal but dynamic lines mimic those of a brush. Indeed, it is difficult to believe that this work is a print rather than a painting, a testament to the technical skill of Japanese printmakers at this time. This print formed an elegant folding fan, evident in the creases across its surface. Materials: Colour print from woodblocks

Image record / 画像情報

VAM · 1836-1858 · vam

The catalog page is text-only. The reviewed image is available in the Ukiyo-e app for iPhone and iPad.