Enjoying the Cool of Evening on the Riverbed at Shijō, c. 1834
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paperexpand_more
Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr.expand_more P.78.65.92
Not on Viewexpand_more
Kawadoko, a riverside dinner, is an ingenious way to enjoy a long summer evening with friends. As shown in this print, a kawadoko seating area is typically large enough to hold an entire party of people, and in this case, even accommodates a drunken dancer. According to tradition, a wealthy merchant in Kyoto started this style of dining in the Momoyama period (1574-1599) to entertain his guests in the middle of a notoriously hot summer. Illuminated by lanterns, people enjoy dinner in the cool river breeze amid the soothing sounds of flowing water. The Kamo River, depicted here, runs through the center of Kyoto. The tradition of kawadoko is still popular today with many tourists braving Kyoto's summer heat in order to enjoy the experience.
Details
- Title
- Enjoying the Cool of Evening on the Riverbed at Shijō
- Artist Life
- 1797 - 1858
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.78.65.92
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Ukiyo-e shūka 14 (1981), Hiroshige list, p. 246, horizontal ōban #35.05
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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