[KAWABATA, RYŪSHI]. 川端龍子.

二十四時家庭雙六. [Nijūyoji katei sugoroku].<BR> [Twenty Four Hours of Family Life Sugoroku].

東京. [Tokyo]. 増田義一. [Masuda Giichi]. Meiji 45 [ 1912]. Stock ID #223770

Colour folding sugoroku game sheet, 54.8 x 78cm. A few small holes at fold points, some washi repairs on reverse. A very good copy.

This sugoroku game sheet was issued as a supplement to Fujin Sekai (婦人世界) on January 1912. The illustrator of this sugoroku game sheet, Ryūshi Kawabata (川端龍子) is one of the three great masters of modern Japanese painting, alongside Taikan Yokoyama(横山大観 ) and Gyokudo Kawai (川合玉堂), and is known for his large-scale, powerful style called "venue art" (会場芸術). The touch in this work reflects his unique style, with vivid colours and large-format expression, which showcases the high level of artistic expression. In his youth, Kawabata worked as an illustrator for a newspaper, and this sugoroku game seems to be an extension of that time. In 1913 he went to the United States to study Western painting. This piece serves as an example of his multifaceted talents.


This sugoroku game features twenty four hours in the life of the idealised Japanese women. The game allows us to see not only the family lifestyle of the time, but also clearly depicts the ideal images of a "good wife and wise mother,"( 良妻賢母) which was expected of women in the upper middle class at that time. Additionally, for children of the era, it likely had an educational purpose, teaching them to learn good habits and practices. Some of the squares on the board encourage the player to practice manners, such as how to greet others and proper etiquette. Interestingly, class differences are also seen as a young maid gets up at five in the morning, cooks meals, and attends young children while her mistress put on her make-up and reads newspaper.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 223770.

Price: $500.00 AU

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