Comment - Uncut single sheet omocha-e, with 49 classical kite designs for Edo kites or Edo Kaku kites. The title of the print is written on the selvage above design No.5 t 7. Please compare this print with the toy print from KUNIAKI-II and YOSHIFUJI, as well as the small edo kite chiyogami from an unknown woodblock artist of the Meiji-era.

The designs are as follows:

Number
1	Warrior design
2	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧")
3	Daruma face design
4	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧")
5	Kintaro
6	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧")
7	A red sun with a crane on it. The crane is an important symbol for long life. The depicted scene is a typical 'hinode tsuru' (日乃出鶴 ) motif. 'Hinode' means 'sunrise', tsuru means 'crane'. The 'hinodetsuro' is also a traditional motif connected to Asahina.
8	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧")
9	A depiction of the widespread story of the "Rabbit in the Moon". The curly waves are to be intended as 'smoke'. Because of self sacrificing, the Rabbit is sent as a reward to the Moon by Teishakuten. Teishakuten is in 'Western eyes' the Higher Supreme Celestial Being.
10	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧")
11	Warrior design
12	circular "Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
13	Warrior design
14	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
15	Okame, the Goddess of dawn, mirth and revelry, supposed to be a lucky charm
16	A variation of the Japanese flag, with kanji written above the sun circle
17	Warrior design
18	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
19	A depiction of the widespread story of the "Rabbit in the Moon". Despite the "western view" of the red ball as seen as the Sun, it is indeed the Moon, therfore the night blue background. The curly waves are to be intended as 'smoke'. The Rabbit is only hinted at behind the curly 'waves'.Compare No.9
20	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
21	Dragon scene
22	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
23	Warrior design
24	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
25	Ghost design
26	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
27	Warrior design
28	A depiction of the widespread story of the "Rabbit in the Moon". Compar No.9.
29	Funny face design
30	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
31	Warrior design
32	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
33	A scene of the historical tale "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," a story about the three warring kingdoms in China during the third century, often played in Kabuki theatres. The warrior is probably Kan'u (関羽), a general of Eastern Han.
34	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
35	A depiction of Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods
36	A variation of the Japanese flag, with kanji written above the sun circle. Compare No.16.
37	A grumpy old man
38	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
39	Warrior design
40	An often seen variation of the Japanese flag
41	Warrior design
42	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
43	Shitadashisanbasō tako (舌出し三番叟凧) or Yokosuka kite ( 横須賀凧) design
44	Floral design
45	Warrior design
46	Lantern design
47	Warrior design
48	"Kanji kite" ("ji tako", "字凧") design
49	A design depicting 'Hyotoko' (火男 or ひょっとこ) with his puckered and bent look. He is the male counterpart of Okame.

Please compare this print with the toy print from KUNIAKI-II and YOSHIFUJI, as well as the small edo kite chiyogami from an unknown woodblock artist of the Meiji-era.

Series - ~


Artist - see Biography


Signature - KUNITOSHI-ga ( 芳藤) on upper selvage above design No. 3 and design No. 4

Publisher -  Torisugiru? on upper selvage above design No. 1 and design No. 2


Image Size - 23.3 X  35.3 cm   (9 1/15" x 28")


Condition - single sheet; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); omocha-e (toy print); vertical ôban (ôban tate-e);