Art of Ukiyoe

When Asakusa Became a Playground

Sometimes, Edo times were fun times.

While we might think of a shrine as a place for quiet contemplation, in those days it was that and something else – grounds for entertainment and excitement. In this wonderful triptych, Utagawa Sadahide gives us an expansive and energetic view of an Edo-era spectacle.

"Operating the Giant Puppet in the Grounds of Asakusa Kinryuzan" depicts a massive, string-operated puppet of the warrior Asahina Yoshihide. He’s so big the artist needed three oban tate-e sheets to portray him. We see the giant figure contrasted with his Lilliputian handlers, who struggle to control him but seem to enjoy the struggle. And below we see vignettes of other entertainments – a traditional dance performance; a Sumo wrestling match; a man enjoying the viewing wonders of a telescope; and, on the giant warrior’s pipe, a royal procession.

Sadahide spared nothing here. In addition to portraying this event, he gives Edoites a view into what must have been considered a technical wonder, and how that wonder was operated. But he did make one big change. The Asakusa Kinryuzan was within Edo, then the most populous city in the world, and not on the seashore, as shown here.

But there might be a reason for that. Asahina Yoshihide was a renowned strongman of the Kamakura period (13th Century) who was often portrayed in Kabuki plays, and who was legendarily adept at fighting evil sea creatures. And to fight evil sea creatures, you need to be near the sea.

He was fierce, for sure, but here the great side-burned warrior looks mildly amused by all the tiny Edoites around him.

This print is in wonderful condition, with colors are rich and strong as the day the blocks were inked.

Sharon