Carnival Parade on a Horse by Katsukawa Shunsen

Artist: Katsukawa Shunsen (Active 1781-1801)

Woodblock Prints Title: Carnival Parade on a Horse, toba-e

1st Publication: 1798

Size: Chuban; 8-1/8" x 6-1/4" (20.7 x 15.9 cm)

Date of this edition: 1798

Publisher: Unknown

Condition: Some creases, small stains, soiling, remnants from prior mounting (Tape), partial color fading, some toning. Good overall condition.

Notes: This print is of a genre not well understood or appreciated by modern viewers, called Toba-e after its supposed inventor, Toba Sojo.

Toba-e feature figures with ridiculously long, thin limbs, comically large mouths and simplified facial features, engaging in a variety of absurd activities, often parodying iconic scenes. As the figures show an extreme lack of grace and elegance, Toba-e are often dismissed as clumsy images, but the effect is intentional, and these works were very popular in their day.

Even Hokusai made some, in his 100 Fashionable Comic Verse Series.

Pictures: Pictures are taken outdoor, in the shade, to reflect true colors, without any enhancements of any kind. The last picture is taken indoor, with a light behind the print, to reveal the exact paper grain, holes if any, or other possible flaws.