Japan: 'The Hour of the Dragon' - Tatsu no koku - (c. 8am-10am). Utamaro Kitagawa (1753-1806), c. 1794-1795

During the Edo period (1603 - 1868), the Japanese clock was divided into twelve units of time, or ‘hours’, with each one named after one of the zodiacal symbols of the lunar calendar, and with the day being divided up into six daytime hours and six night-time hours.

This woodblock print is taken from Kitagawa Utamaro's 1794-1795 ukiyo-e series 'Twelve Hours of the Green Rooms', sometimes styled 'Twelve Hours of the Yoshiwara', featuring everyday events in the lives of courtesans in Edo's Yoshiwara pleasure district.

It is the Hour of the Dragon and the alarm rings for the residents of the house. It is time to wake up but the two apprentices, still drowsy from lack of sleep, steal a few extra moments of rest.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History

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FLOATING WORLD