Written by Kanagaki Robun / Illustrated by Utagawa Kunimasa
1879
Grant-shi-den Yamatobunshō, published by gesaku writer Kanagaki Robun in 1879, is a story of Westerners that gained popularity in the Meiji period. Besides biographies of famous Western figures, stories with a variety of cultural, geographical, political, and historical elements were published in great number then. This book is about the life of the 18th US President Ulysses S. Grant, from his childhood to visit to Japan in 1879. The first and second volumes span his childhood, time as the commanding general of the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-65), presidency, and the European leg of the two-year world tour after he left the office. The third volume presents his journey across India, China and then to Japan, the final destination, as well as various events held upon his visit.

Utagawa Hiroshige II
1860
This print depicts some women who appear to have visited Enoshima Island for pilgrimage, enjoying themselves by collecting shells on Shichirigahama Beach. In the background, Mt, Fuji stands tall with Enoshima Island depicted to its left. This composition of Mt. Fuji and Enoshima Island, visible from Shichirigahama in Kamakura city was frequently depicted in ukiyo-e prints. This suggests that the area was already cherished as a scenic spot even back then.

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
1868
This print was published in 1868, the first year of the Meiji era. The procession of the Meiji Emperor from Kyōto to Tōkyo is illustrated. People are depicted in an abbreviated style while sceneries in each box of the grid are illustrated with a bird’s-eye view perspective.

Utagawa Sadahide
1862
This detailed record of observations about Yokohama was created　 shortly after the opening of its port and consists of text and illustrations. One can sense the keen interest Sadahide had towards the people and cultures of other lands. The abundance of illustrations include a downward-view perspective of the entry to the streets of Yokohama and close-up drawings of Westerners. Many illustrations employ western single-point perspective drawing that Sadahide is said to have learned through western copperplate and lithographic prints.

Artist Unknown
1853
This is an ink painting depicting Comodore Perry’s arrival, better known in Japan as the arrival of the black ships in June 1853. This scroll is thought to compile records from that period. From the text inscribed within the work, more than five hundred Americans were aboard the fleet led by Commodore Perry arrived at Kurihama.

Written by Morishima Chūryō
Illustrated by Morishima Chūryō, Kitao Masayoshi, and Ōtsuki Gentaku
1787
The author Morishima Chūryō was a western scholar of science and author of comedic literature gesaku. Published in 1787, Kōmō Zatsuwa is a compilation of stories Chūryō’s older brother, Katsuragawa Hoshū, who was a doctor for the shōgunate, heard from the Dutch. It is an educational book that explains Western science to the public. This diagram is of a microscope and explains its mechanism and how to use it. The microscopic drawings of various bugs became famous especially that of a flea, mosquito and mosquito larva. The book also presents novelties such as Western airships and electricity generators. This book suggests how people of the Edo period were interested in foreign things despite the closed-door foreign policy at the time of its publication.

Utagawa Hiroshige Ⅲ

This is the series of work produced by Utagawa Hiroshige III. The landscape of iwaya (sea cave) with the Mt. Fuji on the background was chosen for the scenic place of Sagami province.

Utagawa Chikashige

The production date:1870

With a vivid vermilion background, the famous scene of “Hamamatsu-ya” is illustrated. This scene is well known with the famous speech of Benten-Kozou Kikunosuke when he exposes his true identity by taking off woman’s kimono and showing his tattoo at the shoulders.
At the “Hamamatsu-ya” scene, a lady from a good family appears at a mercer Hamamatsu-ya to buy a wedding kimono but she was accused by a shop stuff by a shoplifting crime. The truth is the lady was a famous thief Benten-Kozou Kikunosuke pretends to be a lady by wearing beautiful woman’s kimono. He tries to extort money by insisting shop’s false accusation. Then, another thief Nihon Daemon, who is also pretends to be a samurai, visits the shop and exposes Benten-Kozou’s true identity. Then Benten Kozo who thinks there is no way to hide his identity, takes off the lady’s kimono and showing the tattoo on his shoulder. Then he states, “If you don’t know me, let me tell you who am I!”.