Children’s Games

(Kodomo asobi, 子供遊)

Publisher: Maru-ya Seijirô

c. 1842

 

The seal of the publisher, Maru-ya Seijirô, does not appear on all the prints.  Most, and possibly all, of the designs in this series were also used in the series Fashionable Series of Children's Dances.  This series is listed as number 146 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.

 

 

Description: Child in elegant dress with fan as Hanako in Musume Dôjôji

Subtitle: Dojoji (道ぜうじ)

 

 

 

Description: Child dressed as the Heron Maiden wearing a long-sleeved kimono with a black velvet obi and holding a large open umbrella

Subtitle: The Heron Maiden (Sagi musume, さぎ娘)

 

NOTE: The subtitle, which is cut off on this image, is taken from a print of the same design in the series Fashionable Series of Children’s Dances.

 

 

Description: Child as shakkyô dancer performing the lion dance

Subtitle: Shakkyô (石橋)

 

 

An alternate state

 

Description: Two children dressed as Yama Uba and Kaido-maru dancing with drums

Subtitle: Yama Uba, Kaido-maru (山うば怪童丸)

 

 

 

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