Matsumoto Kōshirō V

A Gathering of ‘Children of Edo’ out Watching Fireflies

Information

Title Matsumoto Kōshirō V Matsumoto Kōshirō 松本幸四郎
Series title A Gathering of ‘Children of Edo’ out Watching Fireflies 蛍狩江戸ッ子揃
Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) 歌川国貞 (三代目豊国) (1786–1865)
Date c. 1820s
Publisher Yamaguchiya Tōbei (Kinkōdō) 山口屋藤兵衛 (錦耕堂)
City Edo
Signature Gototei Kunisada ga 五渡亭国貞画
Censorship seal(s) kiwame 極
Publisher’s seal(s) To ト
Technique & material Woodblock print; full colour print; pigment on paper
Format ōban
Width 26.2 cm
Height 37.8 cm
Object number SH2018-DM-040
Credit Line Gift of Muck and Mieke Douma
Provenance Gifted to the Japan Museum SieboldHuis in April 2018 by Muck and Mieke Douma

Description

This series depicts actors on an outing to watch the fireflies at one of the many rivers in Edo. To combat the heat, they are donning light summer robes (yukata) and are equipped with uchiwa fans to cool themselves and towels (tenugui) to wipe the sweat from their necks. At least nine prints from this set are known. Edokko 江戸ッ子 (‘Child of Edo’) in the series title is what typical inhabitants of Edo liked to call themselves; an Edoite through and through, born and raised.