The Mochibana Dance at the Wakanoura Festival in Kii Province thumbnail 1
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Not on display

The Mochibana Dance at the Wakanoura Festival in Kii Province

Woodblock Print
1843-1847 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Hiroshige made a series of 'uchiwa-e' (rigid fan print) designs depicting folk festivals (matsuri) in the provinces. This is one of two impressions owned by the V&A of the only known design from the series. Wakanoura (Waka Bay) lies on the coast to the south of Wakayama in the north-western corner of Wakayama Prefecture. It is home to the Tamatsushima Shrine. The inscription in the central cartouche says that a festival was held there each year on the 17th day of the fourth month. The festival centred round a procession of people dressed in various guises dancing, singing and making music. One component was the Mochibana Dance depicted here. Mochibana ('rice cake flower') refers to the sprigs of artificial pink and yellow flowers held by the five taller dancers and attached to their hats. The two smaller women wearing black hats decorated with peonies beat out the rhythm of the dance on their fans. Chanting in a high nasal voice accompanied it.

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read Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) Produced in their many thousands and hugely popular during the Edo period (1615 – 1868), these colourful woodblock prints, known as ukiyo-e, depicted scenes from everyday Japan.

Object details

Category
Object type
Titles
  • The Mochibana Dance at the Wakanoura Festival in Kii Province (assigned by artist)
  • Old and New Festivals in the Provinces (series title)
Materials and techniques
Colour print from woodblocks
Brief description
Woodblock print, Utagawa Hiroshige I; 'The Mochibana Dance at the Wakanoura Festival in Kii Province', from the series 'Old and New Festivals in the Provinces'; fan print, Japanese, 1843-1847
Physical description
Fan print, aiban size. Artist signature: Hiroshige ga. Publisher mark: Enshuya Matabei. Censor seal: Yoshimura.
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 220mm
  • Approx. width: 290mm
Style
Credit line
Webb Bequest
Summary
Hiroshige made a series of 'uchiwa-e' (rigid fan print) designs depicting folk festivals (matsuri) in the provinces. This is one of two impressions owned by the V&A of the only known design from the series. Wakanoura (Waka Bay) lies on the coast to the south of Wakayama in the north-western corner of Wakayama Prefecture. It is home to the Tamatsushima Shrine. The inscription in the central cartouche says that a festival was held there each year on the 17th day of the fourth month. The festival centred round a procession of people dressed in various guises dancing, singing and making music. One component was the Mochibana Dance depicted here. Mochibana ('rice cake flower') refers to the sprigs of artificial pink and yellow flowers held by the five taller dancers and attached to their hats. The two smaller women wearing black hats decorated with peonies beat out the rhythm of the dance on their fans. Chanting in a high nasal voice accompanied it.
Collection
Accession number
E.4867-1919

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Record createdNovember 19, 2003
Record URL
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