Comment -A typical New Year's scene with a bijin holding a "hagoita" (a wooden, decorated battledore or 'hantsuki ' paddle). The Hanetsuki paddle is decorated with bamboos. The beauty is classically dressed and wears a kimono decorated with floral motifs. A blue kimono adapted to the winter weather can be seen above it. She has her kimonos gathered up, and we can see the getas she is standing on. A large Kadomatsu ("gate pine") is framing the right side. Kadomatsu trees are typical decorations for the New Year's Day season. Bamboo leaves are hanging from above, also being cited on the 'hagoita'. Between the beauty and the kadomatsu tree is blue banner with white characters, only to be seen in the background.

Ground fog clouds swell above rooftops from far away houses at sunrise. An edo kite (江戸凧) is floating in the clear morning sky above, making it a serene morning scene on New Year's Day.  Two small puppies are sitting beneath the bijin. The series title and the title of this print is cited n the red cassette upper left, resembling an otoshidama.

This print is the center panel of a triptych.

Series -  Pictures of Five Festivals of the Year ("Gosekku no Uchi", "五節句のうち" or "ごせっくのうち")


Artist - see Biography


Signature - "Gototei Kunisada-ga" ("五渡亭国貞画") lower right

Publisher - Sanoya Kihei (佐野屋喜兵衛) with Sanoki-seal (佐野喜); circular censor's seal (改印)  "kiwame" ("極") above the publishers mark on lower right

Image Size - 35.7 X 24.6 cm (28 3/8" x 13 3/4")

Condition - single panel; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); Vertical ôban (ôban tate-e);