Instructive Reference-Index of All Sorts of Proverbs

(Tatoe-gusa oshie hayabiki)

Publisher: Arita-ya Kiyoyemon

1843

This series of prints shows beautiful women representing proverbs. Instead of being numbered, the small black square in the right upper corner of each print contains a hiragana character that may be ordered in the same manner as the alphabet. This series is listed as number 100 in ‘Kuniyoshi’ by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961). The prints are each about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

	Proverb: Remain straight as a bamboo Description: Young woman with bow and target on ground Text in cartouche: Hiragana: I (ぃ), No 1
	Proverb: Description: Beauty looking down at a brazier Text in cartouche: Hiragana: Ro (ろ), No. 2
	Proverb: Money can multiply and build up over time, but what is much more precious is the purity and brightness of one’s heart Description: Young woman holding a wedding kimono Text in cartouche: A Chinese sage says that honest, well-behaved people comprise the nation's treasure. When a woman marries, her dowries, however plenty, are just superficial things. What she should practice for life is serve her parents-in-law and remain loyal to her husband. Hiragana: Ni (に), No. 4 Translation courtesy of Peter Rourke
	Proverb: Description: Beauty applying make-up Text in cartouche: Hiragana: Ho (ほ), No. 5
	Proverb: Description: A diving girl (ama) tying back her hair seated on a rocky outcrop on the seashore Text in cartouche: Hiragana: He (へ), No. 6
	Proverb: Description: Mother grooming child’s hair Text in cartouche: Hiragana: To (と), No. 7
	Proverb: Description: Mother offering breast to child Text in cartouche: Hiragana: Chi (ち), No. 8
	Proverb: Description: Text in cartouche: Hiragana: Ri (り), No. 9
	Proverb: Description: Text in cartouche: Beauty serving tea Hiragana: Nu (ぬ), No. 10
	Proverb: Description: Text in cartouche: Hiragana: Wo (を), No. 12
	Proverb: Description: Beauty spinning silk while her cat sleeps Text in cartouche: Hiragana: Wa (ゎ), No. 13

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