Clowning Around

(Dôke, 道外)

c. 1839-1842

This series of comic prints is not listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The prints are each about 10 by 14 inches (25 by 36 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

Title: Foxes Practicing the Art of Transformation (Dôke kitsune henge no keiko, 道外狐へん化のけいこ)

Publisher: Masa (phonetic reading of 政)

Title: Animals [of the zodiac] Taking Shelter from the Rain (Dôke kemono no amayadori, 道外獣の雨やどり)

Publisher: Yamaguchi-ya Tobei

Another state of the above design with a different publisher’s seal

Yet another state

Title: Comic View of Ghosts Larking About (Dôke bakemono yûsuzumi, 道外化けもの夕涼)

Publisher: Yamaguchi-ya Tobei

Another state with blue benches

Another state of the above design with a different publisher’s seal

I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this state with the publisher’s seal in a different position.

Title: Ghosts playing [the parlor game] hyaku monogatari (Dôke bakemono hyaku monogatari, 道外化もの百物がたり)

Publisher: Masa (phonetic reading of 政)

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