Comment - This woodblock greeting card describes a lively scene at New Year's in a snowy Kyōto street leading to Yasaka-no-to-ji pagoda, emerging in the background. Two girls are playing hantesuki (Japanese battledore), with the shuttlecock high in the air, while two bys are flying kites, fluttering in the winter sky. One of thesese kites is an Edo ("Edo-tako", "江戸凧") with the Japanese Sun Flag symbol, the other kite might be a yakko dako ("yakko dako", "奴凧"). Flying yakko kites is a typical New Year's pasttime for boys. A house is adorned with traditional bamboo and pine decorations for the New Year holiday.

This New Years's Day street scene near Yasaka Hill in Kyoto is the citation of a similar scene by KOTOZUKA Eiichi from the same publisher. For comparison, you might have a glimpse at both woodblocks and a photo of the actual street.


Series - unknown series


Artist - unknown 20th century artist


Signature - none


Publisher - Uchida (内田), (publishers seal beneath the title)


Image Size - 13.7 x 10.2cm (5 3/8" x 4") + margins as shown)


Condition - single sheet; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); postcard size