Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) (1797–1861) Signed: Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇齋國芳画) with kiri seal Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. c. 1815 – 1869); seal san (三) in a circle Censor Seal: aratame (改) Date Seal: tatsu, ni (辰 弍) — 2nd month of the Year of the Dragon, Ansei 3 (2/1856) Block Carver: Yokokawa Takejirō (横川竹二郎) (fl. 1845–1863); seal: 彫竹 (hori Take) Media: Rigid fan print (Aiban Yoko-e Uchiwa-e, 合判横絵 団扇絵), 227 × 286 mm Series: Images of Sansen (三川圖會, Sansen zue), or The Three Rivers Illustrated The print depicts a summer scene along Tatekawa, or Takegawa (竪川), a canal running east-west along the east bank of the Sumida River (隅田川) in Edo (Tokyo). In the background, boats are seen floating on the Sumida River, likely engaged in yūsuzumi (夕涼み, evening cool-off), a popular summer pastime during the Edo period. In the foreground, a woman dressed in a deep blue kimono with red underlayers and a red obi sits inside a riverside establishment. A towel rests on her arms as she reaches for a sliced watermelon. Her hair is styled with decorative hairpins, a comb, and a red ribbon. She is positioned against a bamboo railing that opens onto the river, framing the distant bridge and water traffic. Inscription in the red cartouche to the left of the woman's head: Sansen zue, Tate kawa; 三川圖會 竪川 [reformed writing: 三川図会] [furigana: さんせん づゑ] The print belongs to the series Images of Sansen (三川圖會, Sansen zue), which depicts scenes along three Edo waterways: Fukagawa (深川), Tatekawa (竪川), and Miyatogawa (宮戸川) (see Kuniyoshi Project):

"This series of uchiwa (non-folding fan prints) is listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961) as number 99". On p. 45 it is listed as: Sansen dzuye (Tategawa). The Three Rivers Illustrated. Women's heads. Fan Prints. (3)

Fukagawa (深川); 1st month of 1856	Miyatogawa (宮戸川) ; 2nd month of 1856

[Thanks to Horst Graebner of Kunisada Project]