Kawaraban News Broadsheet with New Ideas including Westerner with elekiter
[Japan] Wonderful, woodblock printed kawaraban that appears to have been published to commemorate a large event and exhibition held at Shitennoji in Osaka from February to April, 1849. The year was the 1,230th anniversary of the death of Shotoku Taishi and from this broadsheet, we can see that various inventions along with a huge elephant were on display. Interestingly, there are also Westerners pictured (presumably Dutch) and an elekiter (static electricity generator) can be seen (mistakenly labelled Ekiriteru in Japanese). The elephant was apparently made by a man named Oe Chubei along with tools by Takeda Kamekichi and Ozu Ichibei.
Publisher unknown. Probably Osaka. 1849.
Large, single sheet. 47 x 33.7cm.
In very good condition. Appears to be trimmed on the left side. Minor age wear and some chips at edges but overall very good. e34051205
