A Collection of Children’s Dances

(Kodomo odori zukushi, 子供踊尽)

Publisher: Wakasa-ya Yoichi

c. 1841-1842

This series shows children in the guise of kabuki actors. It is not listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The prints are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban. I am grateful to Robert Pryor for his contributions to this series.

	Title: Omi no Okane (近み乃おか祢) Role: O-Kane the strong woman of Ômi province Description: Girl controlling a horse by standing on its rope
	The kanji 踊尽 (odori zukushi) and publisher’s seal have been removed from this simplified state of the above design. Also, the print title is written as 近江乃おか祢 instead of 近み乃おか祢.
	Title: Hama Matsukaze (はま松風) Role: Children as the courtier Ariwara no Yukihira, and the brine scooper Matsukaze holding his cap and cloak Description:
	Title: Flower cart (Hanaguruma, 花車) Role: Description: Child with flower cart
	Title: Festival (おまつり) Role: Description: Boy standing next to a giant basket of chrysanthemums and irises on a cart
	Title: Fuji musume Role: The Wisteria Maiden (Fuji musume, ふじ娘) and the spear bearer Yarimochi yakko Description: Children reenacting a scene from the play Fuji Musume (The Wisteria Maiden) I am grateful to Lucienne Parkan for this image and to Horst Graebner for the translation.
	The kanji 踊尽 (odori zukushi) and publisher’s seal have been removed from this simplified state of the above design.
	Another state with neither text nor a publisher’s seal
	Title: Kikuju kusazuri (菊寿草摺) Role: The Soga brothers Description: Children reenacting a scene from the play Kikuju no kusazuri (Chrysanthemum Armor-pulling, 菊寿の草摺) NOTE: This print has no publisher’s seal. I am grateful to Horst Graebner for this image.

“Robinson” refers to listing of the series in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).

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