Thunder and Lightning: 9 ~ 16

Data

Thunder and Lightning: 9 ~ 16
Matchlabel print   (Part of the set: Thunder and Lightning)

Unknown
Unknown
1936

4.00 cm
6.00 cm

00100-002
https://mokuhankan.com/collection/index.php?id_for_display=00100-002

Print is Public Domain; Photography is:   Creative Commons License

Description

Print 9 (upper left): A kaminari-boshi hangs from the eaves of a house in this print. Kaminari-boshi are spiral-cut shirouri melons salted and strung up to dry. They are called kaminari-boshi ("dried thunder and lightning") due to the similarity in shape with the thunder god Raijin's linked drums, which are also connected to one another, although other sources say that the "dried thunder and lightning" simply resembles a bolt of lightning, giving it its name.

Print 10 (upper centre left): This may be an advertisement for fried "thunder and lightning" squid (kaminari-ika). The thunder god Raijin appears with his drums on the upper sheet, with what is probably the name of a shop or restaurant on the lower sheet.

Print 11 (upper centre right): A man in lightning-patterned robes, possibly a kabuki actor, prepares to draw his sword.

Print 12 (upper right): The country's top sumo wrestler (in robes denoting the ichizuchi ("thunder and lightning") rank) stands behind a large pair of scissors in this print. It is unclear exactly what the scissors represent, but when a sumo wrestler retires his top knot is cut off, so perhaps this top wrestler is preparing to retire.

Print 13 (lower left): A charm known as a kaminari-yoke ("雷除") issued at shrines and temples to protect the owner from lightning strikes.

Print 14 (lower centre left): A child in a summer mosquito net blocks their ears in fright as thunder rumbles in the background.

Print 15 (lower centre right): A bag of traditional crispy rice kaminari-okoshi ("thunder-stirring") sweets.

Print 16 (lower right): A famous product of Sanuki, bellybutton-shaped sweets. In the background we can see the thunder god Raijin again, and the link here is the old Japanese rule taught in the past by parents to their children about thunderstorms: "Hide your bellybutton, or Raijin will come and steal it away!".

Other prints in this set


Another Search

Thunder and Lightning: 1 ~ 8
Utamaro Beauties