A year in the capital: Nishikawa Sukenobu's 'Ehon miyako zōshi' explained'

Abstract

This book offers a translation of and commentary on Ehon miyako z'shi (An Illustrated Booklet about the Capital), an ehon (picture book) created by Nishikawa Sukenobu (1671-1750) and gösh published in Kyoto by Kikuya Kihei in 1746. Hereafter it will be referred to as The Year in the Capital. The booklet provides a selection of the most important activities and festivities that took place annually in Kyoto, some of which are still celebrated today. It gives an idea of what life was like in the imperial city for townsfolk of slightly above average wealth and status during the early to mid-18th century. The Year in the Capital is half one of Sukenobu's lesser-known productions, but it offers a representative example of his work as a book illustrator and ukiyo-e artist.