Almanac
Matsui Toka
1883
Medium
Color woodblock print; surimono
Dimensions
25.2 × 18.5 cm (9 15/16 × 7 5/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
43634
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Here Matsui Toka depicted a booklet of the eho (lucky directions), an almanac displaying fortunes for the coming year. Such booklets were published around the New Year and eagerly consulted for the lucky and unlucky days of the upcoming year. The text not only revealed the direction of Toshitokujin, the deity of one’s lucky direction, but would also guide the days that major events, such as weddings, should take place. As such, this booklet is an apt symbol of the New Year season, as are the flo...