I recently acquired this intriguing print of what I believe is a parade of giant floats in a traditional Japanese Dashi street festival. Is there anyone out there that could please translate some small parts of important interest from the text? I love the symbolic crossover between Shinto and Buddhism and the way that these giant structures look like mountains. They must be associated with Mercantile guilds in my guesstimation.
Any insights would be wonderful.
Thank you so much
The text in the 2 margins refers to 根津大権現 Nezu Daigongen, a Susanoo who, according to Wikipedia in Japanese was enshrined in the style of syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism in Nezu, Edo and was revered during the Tokugawa era, in particular at the annual festival held on september 21 1714. That date is present in the left margin 正徳四年甲午 九月廿一日 Shōtoku 4 (=1714) Wood Horse (1714 in sexagenary cycle) 9th month, 21st day. In that margin is mentioned the publisher Moriya Jihei 森屋治兵衛 1797-1886.
The print shows a procession of 50 floats, 1-21, 22-42, 43-50 in subsequent rows from top.
The labels of the floats mainly give an address. float 28 : 本郷 一丁目 二丁目 (Hongō 1-chome and 2-chome), float 29 : Hongō 3-chome and 4-chome, float 30 : Hongō 5-chome and 6-chome. float 18 : 木挽町 一, 二, 三, 四丁目 (Kobikichō 1 to 4-chome). First and third mikoshi : 三十人 南傳馬町 Minamidenmachō
Thank you so much for this wonderful information. So the print 1714? That’s completely incredible. is that correct if the publisher date is later?
Thank you so much for your interpretation completely wonderful and very much appreciated.
Thank you so much, I understand that the print is from 1797-1886.... There is no indication of a date for this print is there?
Thank you ever so much again.
The date of production of the print is probably that at the bottom of the right margin : 天保十一 Tenpō 11 = 1840
Thank you again so much for your very kind assistance 🙏