Enrei gotokuen and Chōchū someitan made by Suzuki Kinsuke

Original Language Title鈴木金助製　延齢五徳円と調中蘇命丹

Artistpossibly Utagawa School (Japanese, late 18th - 19th century)

CultureJapanese

Datelate 19th century

MediumWoodblock print; ink and color on paper

DimensionsImage: 15 1/8 × 10 3/4 inches (38.42 × 27.31 cm)
Framed: 22 3/4 × 15 1/4 inches (57.79 × 38.74 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous gift

Object number2024.30.10

On View

Not on view

Collections

East Asian Art

Terms

DescriptionThis is a polychrome ōban woodblock print. It depicts a busy day at a pharmacy in Osaka through its two-tiered structure. The top register is designed in the style of meisho-e (images of famous places), which was published widely in the Edo period (1615–1868) as a guidebook. The identified sites in this register are Shitennōji, Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi, Kōraibashi, Tenjinbashi, and Tenmanbashi. The upper register and lower register are separated by stylized mist. The lower register depicts a lively scene at the pharmacy owned by Suzuki Kinsuke (could be Kanesuke). The pharmacy and their specialty medicines Enrei gotoku en and Chōchū someitan are advertised at three places: The signboard above the roof, the banner on the left, and the screen inside of the pharmacy. The pharmacy workers prepare medicines, talk to customers, and focus on bookkeeping. Most customers are Japanese, but there are two Chinese men on the bottom right and two men in military uniform in Euro-American style. There is no indication of an artist or publisher on this print.

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.