[ENGLISHMAN, RUSSIAN ENJOY A DRINKING PARTY WITH A GEISHA].

異國人酒宴ノ圖 [Ikokujin shuen no zu].
[Picture of Foreigners Having a Drinking Party].

No date. (Late Edo]. Stock ID #158136

Black and white woodblock, 24.1 x 28.7cm. Very good copy.

This print shows an Englishman, a Russian and a geisha clearly having a lively drinking party. In the middle of the image an English man, named "Metsuchii", is dancing with a fan, to the tune of shamisen played by the geisha, while "Gyaatsu", the Russian is seated on a stool singing and drumming with a chop stick. The accompanying text says, "[They] are having a drinking party and having a great time, singing English and Russian folk songs to the tune of shamisen playing. The songs are recorded on the left."

The text in the left upper section explains the meaning of the songs. Russian song translates as: A good [or good-looking] man from "Beitorukumiyako [St. Petersburg?]" in Russia felt happy that he met a young woman but he thought it too bothersome to kiss her. The English lyrics: "It is great that, after coming to this fantastic place all the way from my country, I drink [sake] poured by a beautiful woman by the generous arrangement of the king of that country. It would be even better if I could sleep with her."

The text on the lower left section shows the transcriptions into Japanese of the Russia and English songs plus a English song in a dodoitsu [5-7-7-7-5 syllables] form. Unfortunately these words written in hiragana do not make much sense as the Russian and English words so the meaning of the song is unclear.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 158136.

Price: $950.00 AU

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