Ikkei - Thirty-six Amusing Views of Famous Places in Tokyo: Naval Base, Tsukiji

Ikkei Shosai

This is an interesting print by Shosai Ikkei from his series Thirty-six Amusing Views of Famous Places in Tokyo. This print shows two foreign sailors from the Naval Base, Tsukiji  one of them is dressed up like a werewolf. They are scaring this Japanese couple that’s out for an evening walk The man is running away and the lantern has been dropped and is burning. Except for this comical interaction the scene looks like a regular woodblock print. 

One interesting piece of this story is that little is known about the artist, Ikkei’s life.  He was a student of Hiroshige III and was active from 1860 to the 1870s. He only produced 132 prints and 6 picture books. Which isn’t very much at all.

Date: 1872

Publisher: Yorozuya Magohei

Condition: Good color, not backed, small repair near center.

Dimensions: 36.1 x 24.5 cm