A Set of Goldfish

(Kingyo tsukushi, 金魚づくし)

Publisher: Murata-ya Jirôbei

1839-1842

The title of this series is written as 金魚づくし on some prints and as きん魚づくし on others. This series is not listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The images are each about 10 by 7 inches (25 by 18 centimeters), a size known as chûban. Two images were printed on a sheet of paper about 10 by 14 inches (25 by 36 centimeters), a size known as ôban. This entire series has been reproduced from newly carved woodblocks (caveat emptor!). I am grateful to Robert Pryor for assisting with this series.

	Title: One Hundred Tales (Hyaku monogatari, 百ものがたり)
	This is a reprint published by Adachi.
	Title: The Thieving Kite (Saraitonbi, さらいとんび) NOTE: The black kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
	Adachi reprint
	Title: Blowing Soap Bubbles (Tamaya tamaya, 玉やし)
	Adachi reprint
	Title: A Drinking Party (Sake no zashiki, 酒のざしき)
	Adachi reprint
	Title: The Fire Banner (Matoi, まとい) NOTE: Firemen, armed with their fire hooks, are marching off under the matoi, which warned neighbors and attracted other firemen to the conflagration.
	Adachi reprint
	Title: The Raftsmen (Ikadanori, いかだのり)
	Adachi reprint
	Title: Sosanô-no Mikoto (そさのおのみこと) NOTE: Sosanô-no Mikoto is the Shinto deity of the sea and storms. Here he is shown saving Kushinada Hime by defeating the serpent demon Yamata no Orochi.
	Adachi reprint
	This is a miniature (12 x 8.5 cm) copy of Kuniyoshi’s print. It was made in Osaka in the late Edo or early Meiji period. The publisher’s seal, Kawachi (河治), is probably a false seal. I am grateful to Yasuhiro Endo for this image and information.
	Title: Sudden Rain of Water Striders (Niwaka amenbô, にはかあめんぼう) Note: The title is a pun on sudden rain (niwaka ame) and water strider (amenbô)
	Adachi reprint
	Title: Bonbon (ぼんぼん) Description: Singing the “bonbon” song for the obon festival
	Adachi reprint

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