Famous Brands of Sake

(Meishu zoroi, 名酒揃)

Publisher: Iba-ya Kyûbei

1843-1846

This series of fan prints (uchiwa) is not listed in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). It bears a striking resembelance to Utamaro’s 1790 series The Peers of Sake Likened to Select Denizens of Six Houses (Natori zake rokkasen, 名取酒六家選). I am grateful to Robert Pryor for assisting with this series.

Title: Miyatogawa (宮戸川)

Description: Woman holding what is probably a bag of gold coins against a check background

Title: Ichimonji (一文字)

Description: Woman holding a kanzashi hairpin against a check background

NOTE: Ichimonji means straight line, and there are many straight lines in the picture.

Title: Shiratama (志ら玉)

Description: Woman serving herself against a check background

NOTE: This print represents a play on words. The woman is serving shiratama dango (mochi balls).

Another state of he above design with a different backround

Title: Shiratama

Description: Woman with watermelon against a check background

Title: The mon for the Kenbishi (剣菱) brand appears next to the title cartouche. It consists of stylized sword (ken, 剣) and water chestnut (hishi, 菱)

Description: Beauty with wrapped bundle against a check background

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