Utagawa KUNISADA (TOYOKUNI III)
(1786-1865)
Sa Brigade, Third Group, Mita: Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Watan
Signatures: Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (bottom center); Chikamaro sha
(bottom left), Ôju Seisei Kyôsai (top)
Publisher: Katôya Iwazô (Seibei)
Censor's Seal: aratame Boar 12, Bunkyû 3 (1863)
Condition: Very good condition in impression and colors, right margin slightly trimmed
Original Japanese Woodblock Print, Size: Ôban
Inventory No. G417
All artworks are sold as seen on the picture.
Description: The term “flowers of Edo” (Edo no hana) can refer, among other things, to fires. The title panel for each print in this series shows the lanterns and identifying standard (matoi) for one of the brigades of firefighters (hikeshi) assigned to various districts. On the west side of the Sumida River were 48 brigades named for the symbols of the kana syllabary and grouped into 8 numbered groups (1 to 10, minus the bad-luck numbers 4 and 7). On the east side of the river, brigades were numbered and assigned to directional groups. Outlying districts were covered by special brigades, here designated “extra” (bangai). Each title gives the name or number of a brigade, its group, and its district, followed by the kabuki scene chosen to match it.
