Kunisada: Fisherman Hanamanari with Torch and unusual alcohol bottle

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)
Title: To Brigade, Tenth Group, Sumidagawa: Ichikawa Ichizo III as the Fisherman (Ryoshi) Hanamanari と　十番組」　「隅田川」　「漁し浜なり　市川市蔵」（三代目） Series: Edo no hana meisho-e (Flowers of Edo and Views of Famous Places)江戸の花名勝会  Date: 1862

Scene of the actor Ichikawa Ichizô III lower right, his figure reaching out of his own frame. He holds an oar used to steer a boat and holds a torch that a fisherman might use to attract fish to their boat. He seems to be looking intently for something in the (unseen) water. The role of Hanamanari in some performances involves discovering a sacred statue in the water, so perhaps this is from that scene. To the left is the scene of the Sumidagawa, with two boats plying its waters, designed by the artist Hasegawa Settei. At top is a very interesting picture of what looks to be sake cups with portraits of men drinking . The unusual bottle at right must hold some type of alcoholic beverage.

The term “Flowers of Edo” (Edo no hana) here refers to the terrible and common occurrence of fires, for which there were many fire brigades active throughout the city. The title panel shows the lanterns and identifying standard (matoi) for the brigade of firefighters (hikeshi) assigned to this district.  The title gives the name or number of a brigade, its group, and its district, followed by the kabuki scene chosen to match it. There is a lot going on in each design, as in the upper right are the standards and lanterns for specific fire brigades, and on the upper left are usually magic lantern slides. Then there are one or two designs that comprise the lower portion, with Kunisada designing the actor portrait and various (21! in total for the series) other artists designing the landscape scenes. Other artists who participated in this design: Hasegawa Settei (Japanese, 1813 – 1882).

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: ôban (35.3 x 24.2 cm)
Publisher: Katôya Iwazoô (Seibei)
Literature: See MFA website and FAMSF, Waseda University websites. A reference book has been privately published by Simon Henry that examines this entire series.
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: KUS564