-From the Steele Collection
Artist Unknown
1868
This work presents major events and prices of rice during the 16 years between the arrival of commodore Perry in 1853 to the defeat of the Shōgitai in the Battle of Ueno in 1868.
It was published around the end of 1868 and suggests how ordinary people viewed various events that occurred from the late Edo period to the Meiji Restoration. Shocking events, natural disasters, cholera epidemics, battles, and large fires are illustrated. The price of rice is written per year showing the severe inflation that occurred over the course of these 16 years.