Artwork Page for Net Fishing at Night on the Sumida River

Details / Information for Net Fishing at Night on the Sumida River

Net Fishing at Night on the Sumida River

c. 1800

Kitagawa Utamaro 喜多川 歌麿

(Japanese, c. 1754–1806)
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Culture
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Medium
One of a triptych of color woodblock prints
Measurements
Sheet: 38.6 x 25.4 cm (15 3/16 x 10 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1116.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Pleasure-boating in the evening on the Sumida River to escape the summer’s heat was about as popular as viewing cherry blossoms in spring for Edo townspeople. The river also led the way to the Yoshiwara, the licensed brothel district. A boating party with courtesans and gentlemen jostles up next to afishing boat. Utamaro enjoyed portraying a scene through the design of a fishing or mosquito net. The different colors of the net suggest these impressions may be from two different series.
A vertical woodblock print depicts wavy water in the lower third, people with light skin tone gathered on a boat in the center, and vertical Japanese calligraphy below a dark sky in the background. At left, a person in a checkered robe sits, holding a teapot. Centrally, a woman in a floral kimono stands. To the right, another woman leans against a wooden frame beside a large red net. Fine lines outline the scene.

Net Fishing at Night on the Sumida River

c. 1800

Kitagawa Utamaro

(Japanese, c. 1754–1806)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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