Surimono for a Joruri Performance

Object Details

• Artist

  Utagawa Kuninao 歌川国直 (1793-1854)

• Description

  This picture illustrates a group gathering around a fishmonger who prepares fresh fish for sashimi. To the left, a lower class prostitute offers a large dish to receive some fish, perhaps for the man at the left, who looks longingly at the elegant, graceful courtesan who glances demurely over her shoulder as she holds a parasol. The "night hawk" overhead proclaims the erotic theme of this scene. This large sheet is printed with an illustration on one half and an illustration in 180 degree reverse orientation on the other half. The sheet was designed to be folded horizontally so the picture would be on one side and the inscription could be read on the other. The text provides the names of many groups from various locales, which suggests that this surimono was commissioned to commemorate a special performance.

• Inscriptions

  The inscription concludes with the phrase, "Senshu banzai" (A thousand autumns), a wish for eternal happiness, and provides the name of a pupil of the joruri performer Takemoto Miyadodayu who sponsored the event.

• Provenance

  To 2002

  Dr. John Fuegi, Copenhagen and Adelphi, MD, to 2002

  From 2002

  Freer Gallery of Art, given by Dr. John Fuegi in 2002

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Previous custodian or owner

  Dr. John Fuegi

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Gift of John Fuegi and Jo Francis

• Type

  Print

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Fuegi, John

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Surimono, Art, Fishes, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Men, Japanese Art, Courtesan, Umbrellas

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints