Mataroku, Enlightened and Tipsy on New Sake

A print depicting Mataroku — a character type from popular entertainment — enlightened and tipsy on new sake, one of the festive season subjects that Chikanobu produced alongside his more serious historical and ceremonial work. The new sake (shinzake) of autumn was a celebrated product, and prints depicting characters enjoying it in states of cheerful intoxication served as festive entertainment pieces appropriate to the harvest season. Chikanobu's comic side is less frequently discussed than his ceremonial imagery but equally characteristic.