In Japan, the days that mark turning points of the seasons are called "Sekku," and since ancient times they have been important milestones for traditional annual events. In particular, "Nanakusa no Sekku (Festival of Seven Herbs)" on January 7th, "Momo no Sekku (Peach Festival)" on March 3rd, "Tango no Sekku (Boys' Festival)" on May 5th, "Tanabata (Star Festival)" on July 7th, and "Choyo no Sekku (Chrysanthemum Festival)" on September 9th are called "Gosekku (the Five Sekku)," and people pray for good health, long life, and good fortune with special food and drinks.
Among them, "Tango no Sekku" on May 5th is an important event that prays for the healthy growth of children, and is now designated as a national holiday in Japan as "Children's Day."
Starting around April, families with boys display "Koinobori (Carp Streamers)'' outside for "Tango no Sekku." This originates from the Chinese legend called "Toryumon" that says that a carp that climbs a rapid stream called "Ryumon (Dragon Gate)" in the upper reaches of the Yellow River is transformed into a powerful dragon. The carp streamers carry wishes for the child's strong and healthy growth and success in life.
Four hundred years ago, during the Edo period, there were many carp streamers swimming in the sky. Utagawa Hiroshige, who painted this work, boldly captures this scene with a close-up of the carp streamer that seems to cover the entire screen. It is a masterpiece that shows Hiroshige's outstanding compositional ability.
Carp streamers drawn in ukiyo-e are perfect as an interior decoration that evokes the Japanese seasons and culture, or as an item that wishes for the healthy growth of your child.
The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints selects a traditional Japanese hand-made paper called Kizuki hosho, made by Mr. Ichibei Iwano who is a living national treasure.
The Adachi carries on the tradition of Japan's woodcut print techniques which gave birth to ukiyo-e in the 17th century. Our large selection of ukiyo-e reproduction is created using the same techniques and authentic materials by skillful artisans.
They can be displayed anywhere, even in homes where it is difficult to display large carp streamers.
They are compact and can be stored neatly in a closet. They do not require much maintenance, so you can enjoy them year after year.
Adachi's Gift Wrapping
An unframed print is set in the Adachi original ukiyo-e envelope and a framed print is set in the box and wrapped with Adachi Original wrapping paper.
＜Available gift services by request＞
・Gift Messages
You could request a message card to attach to the back of the frame or include it in a package.
・Traditional Japanese gift ornament "noshi"
・Colophon, "okuduke"
Hiroshige depicts carp-shaped streamers for boy’s festival over Kanda River and the city of Edo dramatically. Carp-shaped streamers known as "Koinobori" are hung to celebrate the boys, who are supposed to grow as strong as the carps that can swim up streams.
[Print only] ¥18,000
[With frame] ¥33,000
Kaidomaru was a common Edo-period name for Kintaro, the boy who later became Sakata Kintoki. There are a number of ukiyo-e depictions of Kaidomaru from Kuniyoshi's time and previously; this work is celebrated as particularly strong, energetic depiction of the boy.
[Print only] ¥18,000
[With frame] ¥33,000
Utagawa Toyokuni I was a disciple of Utagawa Toyoharu. Toyokuni made significant contributions to the late ukiyo-e woodcut print world. He left behind numerous works in the genre of actor prints and bijin-ga. The print "Red Carp" is one of Toyokuni's rare works in the category of "birds and flowers print." The koi carp, creating spiraling water currents as it swiftly moves forward, is depicted with a sense of liveliness and freshness. Additionally, the contrast between the transparent watercolor background and the scarlet hue of the koi carp creates a beautifully harmonious piece.
[Print only] ¥18,000
[With frame] ¥33,000
This impressive panoramic work is based on the legend of "Miyamoto Musashi Subduing the Whale." Musashi was a legendary master swordsman in the early Edo period. Kuniyoshi depicted the scene of a fight between Musashi and a monstrous whale. Kuniyoshi fully used the tryptic screen to depict a monstrous whale in wild waves. Triptych prints are printed separately and put together afterward. It is extremely difficult for printers to match colors on three separate papers.
[Print only] ¥60,000
[With frame] ¥93,000
A gift for the first boy's festival is important. You can actually see Adachi ukiyo-e prints at our showroom in Mejiro, Tokyo. Please stop by to see the vivid colors and the warm texture of ukiyo-e at our showroom. We can ship our products both domestically and internationally and you can also take them home (it depends on the stock and time situation).
Special Thanks: @kuroyanagiryoji , @erina_e.jxoga , TN, S
