Ukiyo-e Prints and Japanese Music around the Sumida River

During the Edo period, the Sumida River served as an arterial route for transporting people and goods. Much loved as a place for enjoying nature in all four seasons, it was depicted in numerous ukiyo-e art prints. For those boating on yakatabune and yanebune pleasure vessels on the river, Japanese music performed on the shamisen and other instruments played a role in enhancing the atmosphere. In this exhibition, artworks and related materials from the Museum’s ukiyo-e collection on the theme of boating will be exhibited.