Inoe Yasuji: Tokyo Street Scene with Man on Bicycle

Artist: Inōe Yasuji (1864-1899)
Title: Restaurant Azuma-tei at Yoroi-bashi Street in Koami-cho, Tokyo (Tokyo Koami-cho Yoroibashi doori Azumatei 東京小網町鎧橋通　吾妻亭)  Date: 1888

Koami-chō isa commercial center located near Nihonbashi  near the Sumida river in the central part of the Low City, which rapidly Westernized during the Meiji era. The scene depicts the stylish residents of the city gathering at the Azumatei, a French restaurant that offered wines, beers, and other spirits as well as billiard games. We see a glass lamp on the ceiling of the building as well as a balcony and lamps that light the front entrance. The scene displays all the aspects of daily life on a modernizing Tokyo corner. These include the mixture of the people; Japanese both in kimono and western dresses, Chinese and Westerners; new transports such as horse carriage with a rider in western clothing, rickshaw and a rickshaw man with a cap and westernized clothing,  as well as an advertising man in a tophat banging a large drum, his head protected by a canopy. Two children are very amused by him. The terrific detail is of a man riding a very early version of a bicycle that has one large front wheel. He wears a cap with a pompom and a striped jacket. Two dogs seem also to be enjoying the bustling scene. The notable new architecture includes Azuma iron bridge as well as other new western buildings.

Somewhat incongruously, the flag to the right advertises milk, another new Western beverage. In the background is the First National Bank, completed in 1871 but already looking out of place in the rapidly changing city. Yasuji’s prints are rarer than prints by Kiyochika, although they are stylistically quite similar. He died tragically young, at age 25.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban triptych (37.3 x 25.4 cm each sheet)
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Signature: Inoue Yasuji ga

SKU: INE013