Comment - Triptych showing a busy street along a river at New Year's, with several kites flying overhead. An Edo kite ("Edo-tako", "江戸凧") with the face of Daruma, the father of Zen Buddhism is flying directly above the outlook of Mt. Fuji. Under the Daruma kite is a feathered Hanetsuki shuttlecock, played by the girls and ladies in the center and right panel of the tritych. Hanetsuki is a typical game, played by girls and ladies during the New Year season. It resembles Western badminton or battledore. A kitten plays with a ball between two young girls, and a monkey trainer makes his way through the crowd, the animal clinging to his back. In the background, many pedestrian stroll above Isagobashi bridge (砂子橋) crossing the Edo river.

At left, a young boy tugs on the string of a Yakko ("yakko dako", "奴凧") or man kite, while another boy prepares to launch his Edo kite (to be seen right panel, center left) with a scene of crashing waves and a red sun. A small boy is kneeling (center panel, lower left), with a small Yakko kite under his arm (red wings, black squared dot). The Edo kite above the two musicians (left panel, center) depicts Momotaro, the legendary "Peach Boy". A lively scene, full of wonderful detail and color. A fantastic image of kite subjects and holiday celebrations in old Japan.


Series - Outstanding Yearly Events of Edo (Edosunago nendjūgyōji, 江戸砂子年中行事江戸砂子年中行事)


Artist - see Biography


Signature - drawn by Yōshū Chikanobu (Yōshū Chikanobu-hitzu, 楊洲周延筆), cassette on the lower right


Publisher - Fujioka Shikabane? (unknown seal, 藤岡尸)


Image Size - 70.0 x 35.6 cm   (27 7/8" x 14")


Condition - triptych, three panels without seems; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); Vertical ôban (ôban tate-e); panels attached at the seams, backed with thin paper.