Utagawa Kuniyoshi Goldfish

Matoi(Firefighters and the Banner)

The Ukiyo-e is printed on Echizen kizuki hosho washi (a unique kind of Japanese paper) handmade by Ichibei Iwano, a living national treasure. This makes the vivid colors and the soft, warm textures of woodcut prints come to life.

As per the saying “fires and fights are the flowers of Edo,” firefighters were heros within the urban popular culture of Edo, a city prone to fires. This print depicts a group of firefighters on their way to extinguish a fire. The frog is in the lead as they rush toward the scene, each shouldering reed stems (fire hooks). One high-stepping goldfish carries a banner woven from water grasses. Looking at the procession from behind, the viewers of this print are made into curious onlookers who follow after the firefighters. As Kuniyoshi is said to have liked to watch fire-fighting, perhaps this print is depicted from the artist’s own vantage point.
But isn’t the proposition of a fire under water going a bit too far?

Price 8,000yen(Excluding Tax)

Print Size (cm)25.7 × 18.5 cm
PaperEchizen Kizuki Hosho Washimade by Living National Treasure, Ichibei Iwano
ExplanationJapanese and English
Delivery timeProduct delivery time We will ship the order within 7 business days under normal circumstances.
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