A marriage procession proceeds in silence under cherry blossoms in full bloom. At first glance, this procession seems to be the marriage procession of some woman from a respectable family by looking at her gorgeous garment; however, upon closer examination of the faces of people, we can notice they are actually all foxes. The family emblems printed in the kimono dresses are flaming jewels which express the god of Inari. In the ancient times, the fox was regarded as a servant of the inari god. This procession seems to be heading towards the Inari Shrine in Ōji located in the northern part of Mt. Asuka-yama. The weather is also strange as it is raining in spite of fine weather. Though such mysterious weather is still referred to today as “Kitsune no yomeiri (sunshine shower)”, during the Edo period, there were many rumors about people actually encountering a foxes’ wedding. The work here is not only a good example of personified animals but also reflects a lot about the religion and popular view back then.

●Utagawa Kuniyoshi “The play of “Kanadehon Chūshingura” played by frogs”

This is the work parodying the story of “Kanadehon Chūshingura”. Here frogs take the center stage!

●Utagawa Toyokuni Ⅲ
“Twenty-four Tastes of Modern Beauties : Fondness for Goldfish”

A young woman is trying to scoop goldfish. The goldfish was, and still is, one of the seasonal traditions of summer.

●Tsukioka Yoshitoshi “One-hundred Ghost Stories of Japan and China: The Sumō Wrestler Shirafuji Genta”

The sumo wrestler, Shirafuji Genta is watching the legendary kappa sumo wrestling.

Personified animals that can think and behave like humans are popular even today in the field of movies and animated cartoons. To everyone’s surprise, there are already many examples of animals that behave like a human in the field of ukiyo-e wood-block prints. These works which evoke laughter from spectators tell us the richness of the imagination of Edo citizens and their familiarity with animals.

Today, we often hear the phrase “Pet boom” but in fact, Edo people also kept various animals as pets. Even back then, dogs and cats were the most popular. In addition, goldfish, rats, rabbits and even weasels became pets. Moreover, the hawk for falconry and the horse for horse riding were considered the status symbol for a person with power. The depiction of dogs and cats in ukiyo-e lying down peacefully beside their owners shows how these pets were truly treasured as part of the family.

Tortoises,　cranes and cats dozing off beside their owners. These auspicious animals familiar to the Japanese were also frequently depicted in the works of ukiyo-e. In this exhibition, we will focus on works portraying animals and introduce them to you in a manner that even small children can enjoy.

You will not only meet the familiar, but also the imaginary, like dragons, kappa (river children) and foxes which can transform into human. Style varied from being very detailed to the artist playfully personifying the animal. Please enjoy this wonderful relationship between the Edo people and animals through the works of this exhibition.

●Katsushika Hokusai "Chin (Japanese spaniel)”

Japanese spaniel called Chin was one of the popular household pets which were kept by women who belong to the upper class.

In the Edo period, exotic animals like elephants, camels and cassowaries were brought from foreign countries and won popularity through shows called misemono. Ukiyo-e masters depicted these animals which gave people a big shock. Moreover, ukiyo-e artists also depicted living things in people’s imagination, like dragons, Chinese phoenixes, barong foxes which can transform into human, Kappa (river-children) and big snakes. They were represented frighteningly or jestingly at times.

Auspicious animals such as cranes and tortoises were also important themes in the field of ukiyo-e. As seen in New Year greeting cards, animal symbols of oriental zodiac were used in order to express date, time and direction. Back then, the zodiac had a closer relationship with common people than today. Hence, animal symbols of oriental zodiac were also expressed in various ways.

●Utagawa Yoshitora “Picture on Oriental Zodiac Wishing for the Safety of Family”

This unnatural, but interesting animal is a combination of the twelve symbols of the Oriental Zodiac.

●Utagawa ToyokuniⅢ　“One Hundred Women of Celebrated Places in Edo: Yotsuya”

Here a cat trying to mess around has been held down by a child.