Eight Assemblies of the Floating Night

(Ukiyo hakkwai, 浮夜ハ會)

Publisher: Iba-ya Sensaburô

1847-1850

 

The title of this series of fan prints (uchiwa) can also be translated as “Eight Nocturnal Trysts”.  It is listed as number 50 in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).

 

Kuniyoshi - Eight assemblies of the floating night (Ukiyo hakkwai) R50 geisha in male dress at the Niwaka Festival in Yoshiwara, 1847-50

Title: The Niwaka Festival in the Yoshiwara

DescriptionGeisha in male dress performing a dance called the niwaka

Kuniyoshi - Eight assemblies of the floating night (Ukiyo hakkwai) R50, Beauty in the snow , Pub Iba-ya Sensaburô, c

Title: Palanquin from Ômori

Description: Beauty putting her hand on a palanquin in the light of a lantern

 

Image courtesy of John Lord

221

Title: Maid setting out a yukata for after the bath

Description: Maid setting out a yukata (casual summer kimono) for after the bath

Kuniyoshi - Eight Assemblies of the Floating Night (Ukiyo hakkwai) R50, Beauty in the evening on a boat enjoying green soybeans

Title: Geisha Eating Endamane

Description: Beauty in the evening on a boat enjoying green soybeans

222

Title: Nakanochô

Description: Beauty standing by a lantern and holding an umbrella under cherry petals falling against the night sky

 

NOTE: The Nakanochô was in the Yoshiwara brothel district.  Kuniyoshi’s kiri seal is on the umbrella.  The lantern is inscribed Hodoyoshi-ya (程好屋), a fictitious establishment that incorporates Kuniyoshi’s pseudonym, Hodoyoshi, which is usually used on the artist’s erotic works.

Title: Year-end Market in the Snow

Description: Beauty in the snow

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