Enjoying the Cool of the Evening at Ryôgoku Bridge (<i>Edo Ryôgokubashi nôryô no yakei</i>)

Catalog note / 解説

The theme of watching fireworks at Ryôgoku Bridge in Edo (present-day Tokyo) is a popular one in the art of the Floating World (<i>Ukiyo-e</i>). Here, the artist focuses on the revellers in the boats at the base of the bridge. Although an exploded firework dominates the night sky, and an excited crowd jostles together on the bridge, these revellers almost seem not to notice, enjoying instead the cool of the evening, as hinted at in the title. The skilful use of perspective in this print is a result of exposure to Western art during the Edo period (1615-1868). Materials: Colour print from wood blocks