HIROSHIGE III

One of 118 prints in the series Dai Nippon Bussan Zue (Products of Greater Japan), issued in August 1877 to coincide with the opening of Japan’s first National Industrial Exposition (Naikoku Kangyō Hakurankai) held in Tokyo’s Ueno Park, depicting fishermen netting flatfish in Wakasa Bay.

Wakasa was famous for the flatfish caught in their offshore waters which were considered a winter delicacy. Wakasa flatfish were often steamed in salt water and then dried.

At least three variant printings (editions) were made of this series.  Each variant printing uses a different colored cartouche for the series' title, either red, green or rainbow-colored.  Different colored borders were also used and variances in the use of colors and shading are present in the three editions. 

Date: 1877

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