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New Year parade of Edo's firemen

Ittosai Yoshitsuna, 1852, Wood cut
New Year parade of Edo's firemen
New Year parade of Edo's firemen
New Year parade of Edo's firemen
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Category
Library Item
Item no
358
Title
New Year parade of Edo's firemen
Description
This print depicts the New Year parade of Edo's firemen performing a ceremony known as 'Dezomeshiki' that ensured fire safety in the coming year. All of the firemen from different municipal departments have converged in a vibrant assembly. The traditional fireman's uniform was blue and white and was thickly padded so that it could be soaked with water to provide protection against flames. The men carry white standards (matoi) of various shapes, as well as hooked staffs and ladders. As part of the festival, firemen chanted work songs and performed acrobatics at the top of their bamboo ladders - a performance art known as 'hashigonori'. In the distance Mount Fuji is visible and there are two white cranes, these were auspicious symbols associated with the New Year celebrations.
Artist / maker
Ittosai Yoshitsuna
Date
1852
Size
35 x 72 cm
Type
Location
Art and Design Library
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG​
£6.10(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF​
£31.00(inc. VAT 20%)
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