Comments - Incredible illustration of a ceremony called "toro nagashi," where participants float lanterns down a river. Here, the ritual takes place on the Sumida River, with rows of bird-shaped lanterns drifting along the gently undulating water. People enjoy the scene from pleasure boats and smaller vessels, watching eagerly as the lanterns bob about. A small boy in a boat at right holds a bamboo pole with a bird lantern suspended from the end of it, and a few other boats have red paper lanterns with birds on them. At far left, a boatman oars a craft stacked with sake casks, each protectively wrapped in straw matting and marked with a brand name. A fascinating subject, one we've never come across before, nicely detailed and shaded.

Artist - Kunisada III (1848 - 1920)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 28 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Three separate panels. Small losses and holes, slight separation along vertical fold at left edge of right panel, repaired. Soiling, slight creasing. Please see photos for details. Good overall.