Comment - The print shows the illustration of article 13 from a 'code of conduct' named "A comprehensive explanation of over 50 articles" or in short "50 Explanatory Illustrations". Article-13 of the 'conduct warns about
reckless carriage drivers and horseback riders injuring or killing innocent passers-by ("乗馬や馬車で走り廻り通行人を殺傷すること").

The foreground shows an equestrian, trampling down two kite-flying children with his horse. They are lying on their bellies on the ground, the horse directly above them. They have been knocked down by the hooves. The boy lying below still holds his kite line in his left hand, the kite spindle and line lie next to him. The almost crashed Edo-Kaku kite can be seen behind a pedestrian fleeing from a carriage. The blue and red edo kaku carries a popular variation of the Flag of Japan. A reckless carriage with two horses is galloping from the left to chase the adult pedestrian, he flees with an expression of horror, running directly into the careless equestrian
The red title cassette dominates the upper center of the print. A blue cassette upper right explains the rules for safe riding and driving a horse carriage.


Series - After the opening of Japan, more and more foreigners flooded Tokiyo. In an effort to create a less "Barbaric" impression in the face of the "Western Barbarians", the Meiji administration issued in the 1870ies a code of conduct with legal and penal character (fines for violation). It served as an illustrated explanation of examples of illegal practices and regulations.
For those most often illiterate women and girls, there were hand-outs with illustrations. The prints were issued as double pictures (two yoko-e pictures on one oban sheet). Prints for 'Code-of-Conduct' Article 13/50 (horse carriage and equestrians endangering pedestrians; this print), Article 16/50 (warning of uncontrollable huge kites), Article 29/50 warning against reckless carriage drivers (toddler in baby carrier on the back of his mum with small Edo-Kaku kite on stick; lower print), and Article 38/50 (kite interfering with electric power line; lower print).


Artist - see Biography


Signature - "Shōsai Ikkei" ("昇斎一景") in the red cassette at lower left


Publisher - Tsutaya Kichizô (蔦屋吉蔵), (Kôeidô Publishers, 紅栄堂)


Image Size -   16.5 X 23.5 cm (6 1/2" X 9 1/4") (cut)   


Condition - Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, single sheet, vertical ôban; yoko-e (landscape) (cuts)