Rare Original Japanese Woodblock Print by Utagawa Yoshiiku (Japanese, 1833?1904), SUMMER PARTY AT RYOGOKU, FIREWORKS | Matted & Framed under glass. Artist: Yoshiiku Utagawa (1833-1903) Title: Summer Party at Ryogoku (Bridge), Tokyo [Tokyo Ryogoku Kawabiraki no Zu] Publisher: Yorozuya Magobei Date: 19th century (Meiji) Approx. Size: Framed: 21" H x 16.25" W; Sight: 14" H x 9.5" W. The construction of the Ryogoku Bridge in 1659 helped to shape the city of Edo and later Tokyo. The name of the bridge translates as 'two countries' and referred to the joining of Musashi and Shimosa Province which were prior separated by the Sumida River. It is often said that Edo was a city of rivers and canals, with travelling by boat a common mode of transport for most classes. Ryogoku Bridge was also a popular spot for fireworks and entertainment in the summer. Crowds would gather on the river shore or on pleasure boats to relax and cool off in the evening after a hot and humid summer day. UTAGAWA YOSHIIKU, Also known as Ikkeisai Yoshiiku, Ochiai Yoshiiku, Ikujir?, Ch?kar?, Ikkeisai, Keiami, Keisai, Sairakusai, Yoshiiku, Yoshiiku Utagawa. Born the son of teahouse proprietor Asakusa Tamichi in 1833, Yoshiiku became a student of ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi toward the end of the 1840s. His earliest known work dates to 1852 when he provided the backgrounds to some actor prints by his master. Yoshiiku's earliest works were portraits of actors, beauties, and warriors. He later followed Kuniyoshi into making satirical and humorous pieces, and became the leading name in the field after Kuniyosh's death in 1861.