National Anthropological Archives

Guide to MS 7336 Mitsui konomi miyako no nishiki

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.MS7336
Creators:
Mizuno, Toshikata, 1866-1908
Dates:
1905-1906
Languages:
Titles are in both
Japanese
and
English
.
Physical Description:
1 Volume
Silk-covered accordion book
7 x 9.75 inches
12 Prints
colored woodcuts
85 x 12 inches
Repository:
Container:
7336

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists of a silk-covered accordian book of thirteen (13) color woodcut prints from the series "Brocade Pictures from the Capital". This series of designs was commissioned by the Japanese department store Mitsui in 1898 and published by Akiyama Buemon (Kokkeidō). The prints were re-issued in 1905-06. The prints in this collection have English titles and appear to date from 1905-1906. In twelve images, women and girls are shown in different surroundings and activities, dressed according to the season. The title page contains an image of the table of contents written on an open notebook wth a basket of various flowers in the background.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Toshikata Mizuno (1866-108) was a painter and illustrator best known for genre subjects treated in a modified ukiyo-e manner with Shijō style. Toshikata was born in Edo (Tokyo) and began his study of ukiyo-e at the age of fourteen. In 1887, he joined the newspaper Yamato shinbun as an illustrator. He also produced several lithographs for the literary magazine Shinshosetsu and senso-e (war prints) during the Sino-Japanese war. In 1900 he organized a group of painter friends, called Ugōkai, and aimed at improving the art of ukiyo-e. Toshikata died in Tokyo in April 1908.

Administration

Custodial History
Collected in Japan in 1945 or 1946 by Elennore C. Sullivan. Sullivan donated it to the Smithsonian in 1968. The item was transferred from the object collections of the Department of Anthropology to the National Anthropological Archives by Chang-su Houchins, July 1983.
Processing Information
Information and translations furnished by Chang-su Houchins, of the Department of Anthropology. She consulted Laurance P. Roberts, A dictionary of Japanese artists, 1976, and Noritake Tsuda, Handbook of Japanese art, 1976. Date of drawings from Woodblock kuchi-e prints : reflections of Meiji culture by Helen Merritt and Nanako Yamada.

Digital Content


Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Preferred Citation
MS 7336 Mitsui konomi miyako no nishiki, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.

Related Materials
Objects donated with this item, including silk cloth and sandals, are held by the Department of Anthropology Collections (Acc 276682).

More Information

Variant Titles

Variant Titles
Select Mitsui designs (or city fashions)
Brocades of the Capital, Mitsui-style
The seasons and their fashions

Local Numbers

Local Numbers
NAA INV 08820900
MNH-Ethnology Accession Number 276,682
MNH-Ethnology Catalog Number 409,542


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Japan Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
East Asia Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fashion illustrations Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Works of art Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Woodcuts Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ukiyoe Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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