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Utagawa Kuniyoshi
"Goldfish (Kingyo Zukushi)"
<p>The Humorous<br/>"Kawaii" Culture of Edo</p>
The popularity of ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi has been soaring in recent years and his work has been featured in numerous exhibitions around Japan and the world. "Goldfish" is a series of ukiyo-e woodcut prints by Kuniyoshi. It is a delightful depiction of aquatic creatures such as frogs and turtles as well as goldfish that are all given comical human traits. The laughing, running, singing and dancing goldfish are so animated and comical that you cannot help but smile at their cuteness. In the latter half of the Edo Period, goldfish became popular as pets among the common people.
They must have been thrilled to see their pets portrayed in such a lively manner.
The history of the Japanese pop culture of "kawaii" or the love of cuteness that spread around the world in recent years can already be seen in Kuniyoshi's ukiyo-e series "Goldfish" from the Edo Period.
Hyakumonogatari (One Hundred Tales)
It's the Cat Goblin from the ghost stories!
Saraitonbi (The Thieving Hawk)
Hey! The hawk snatched the fried tofu!
Tamaya, Tamaya (Bubble Vendor)
The soap-bubble vendor is here!
Sake No Zashiki（A Drinking Party）
The goldfish are having a ball at the party!
Matoi (Firefighters and the Banner)
Here come the firefighters!
Niwaka Amenbo (Sudden Rain of the Water Gliders)
Is it a shower? It's the water striders!
Susano-o no mikoto
Take down the Eight-Forked Serpent played by the eel!
Ikadanori(The Raftsmen)
Roll up your fin like a real man
Bonbon（The Folksong)
Stroll down the street with a fan in hand and sing the Bonbon song
<p>Half-joking, half-size ukiyo-e</p>
Underneath the artist's name "Kuniyoshi" in the picture are the characters "giga," which means "caricature." It was typical of the "iki" = "stylish" aesthetic of the Edo period to present such a playful piece in a compact size. "Goldfish" is a series of ukiyo-e that can be enjoyed lightheartedly.
<p>Only the Adachi edition includes the full series of nine works</p>
In addition to the eight works that were previously known, the ukiyo-e titled "Bonbon" was discovered more recently to be a part of the "Goldfish" series. No other collection includes all nine titles, and only the Adachi edition provides them as a set! Enjoy the endearing goldfish that charmed the people of Edo and were revived in vivid colors, just as they were seen in those days.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)
A great master of ukiyo-e woodcut prints who rose to popularity in the late Edo Period. He came into the limelight when he was about 30 years old and he produced a series of warrior prints inspired by the Chinese novel "Suikoden (Water Margin)." Kuniyoshi's subjects included many genres such as beautiful women, kabuki actors and caricatures. Still today, the satirical and humorous ukiyo-e created by an artist who carried the spirit of the townspeople are loved by people around the world.
Sales price for 9-piece set: 80,000 yen (not including tax)
10,000 yen for each piece x 9 pieces + 8,000 yen for frame = 98,000 yen (not including tax)
A discount of 18,000 for the full set!
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