The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Binzasara, A Dance with Clappers (From the series Entertainments at the Height of the Niwaka Festival in the Pleasure Quarters)

early 1790s

Eishōsai Chōki

(Japanese)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
color woodblock print
Sheet: 24.5 x 18.2 cm (9 5/8 x 7 3/16 in.)
Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore 1930.174
Location: Not on view

Description

During the eighth lunar month of each year the geisha of the pleasure quarters would form themselves into groups and proceed around the quarter performing dances and skits. It seems likely that woodblock prints featuring the Niwaka Festival were purchased as souvenirs of the occasion. The Binzasara is a ritual dance related to agriculture and fertility performed during the month of May. Agricultural deities are addressed by the use of flowered hats and binzasara clappers.
  • (Bentz, Pasadena)
  • Japanese Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 5-October 28, 1934).
  • {{cite web|title=Binzasara, A Dance with Clappers (From the series Entertainments at the Height of the Niwaka Festival in the Pleasure Quarters)|url=false|author=Eishōsai Chōki|year=early 1790s|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1930.174