Kemari (Football), 1897

by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Current Status

Kemari (Football), 1897 by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Original Chikanobu (1838 - 1912) Japanese Woodblock Print
Kemari (Football), 1897

Series; Chiyoda Outer Palace (Chiyoda no on-omote)

Chiyoda Outer Palace - Following his successful "Chiyoda Inner Palace" series, Chikanobu designed a second triptych series first published in 1897 illustrating the "Chiyoda Outer Palace" (Chiyoda no on-omote), the domain of the shogun and his retainers at Edo Castle, also known as Chiyoda Castle. The men are depicted taking part in sporting and hunting activities, martial arts, annual ceremonies, and traditional rituals. The Outer Palace series was smaller than the Inner Palace series, with 32 triptychs instead of 40, and these designs are seen much less often. Chikanobu's characteristic attention to detail highlights the clothing and accessories worn by the samurai, as well as the indoor and outdoor settings. Many designs include deluxe printing techniques such and embossing and burnishing. The handsome "Chiyoda Outer Palace" series provides a wonderful look at life inside the Shogun's castle prior to the Meiji Restoration.

Kemari (Football), 1897 - Interesting depiction of a party of noblemen playing a game of football called kemari in which they kick the ball back and forth to one another, trying to keep it aloft. Two men play while a third acts as a referee, the ball hanging weightless in the air above them. At left, samurai watch quietly from beneath blue and white striped cloth panels. Blossoming cherry trees frame the scene. Nicely detailed with cloth embossing on the white stripes and burnishing in the black court caps.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 14" x 28"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels, backed with somewhat stiff paper. A few creases, wrinkling at corner of one panel. Please see photos for details.

Kemari (Football), 1897 by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)
Kemari (Football), 1897 by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

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