Edo prints
| Design: | Utagawa Toyoharu (1735-1814) | |||||
| Title: | A view of people enjoying the evening cool near Eitai bridge, Fukagawa | |||||
| Size: | 24.3 x 35.6 cm | |||||
| Posthumous printing from the original blocks | ||||||
| Photography: | Jacques Commandeur |
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Originally published ca. 1771, jutting out in front on the right this print displays the then newly built and just finished legendary neighbourhood of Nakazu in Edo, to be destroyed only 18 years later in 1889 (see this page of my second website for further details). Crossing the Sumida river straight ahead is Eitai bridge, the large masts behind this bridge belonging to the sea-vessels anchored near Tsukudajima island in Edo bay. The water on the right is Hakozaki river. This river flows under Eikyū bridge, part of which is also visible on the right of the print.
Print title in top of right margin:
| Character | Reading | Meaning | Translation |
| 浮 | u(ku) | rise to the surface | |
| 絵 | e | picture | |
| 深 | fuka | become deeper | |
| 川 | kawa | river | |
| 永 | ei | long (time) | |
| 代 | tai | represent | Perspective picture: |
| 涼 | suzu(mu) | enjoy the evening cool | A view of people |
| 之 | no | ’s | enjoying the evening cool |
| 図 | zu | drawing | near Eitai bridge, Fukagawa |
Followed by artist’s name:
| Character | Reading | Meaning | Translation |
| 歌 | uta | poem | |
| 川 | kawa | river | |
| 豊 | yuta(katoyo) | abundant | |
| 春 | haru | spring | Picture by |
| 画 | ga | picture | Utagawa Toyoharu |
References
- Clark, Timothy (1992). The Rise and Fall of the Island of Nakazu. Archives of Asian Art, 45, pp.72-91.
- Narazaki, Muneshige, ed. (1989). Ukiyo-e Masterpieces in European Collections, Volume 6. The Guimet Museum in Paris. Tokyo: Kodansha International.
Provenance: Fuji Arts