This sheet from Collected Illustrations of Japanese Toys by Kawasaki Kyosen (1877–1942) shows a large red-rimmed spoked wheel from a festival cart, set with a decorated cart body and a small blue figure, with a seated brown monkey toy resting at the base. Festival carts, or dashi, are central to many local celebrations, and toy versions carried their spirit into the home.
Kyosen recorded the scene as omocha-e, a woodblock picture of toys, drawing each part from observation. He printed the bold red wheel and the cart's painted details against the open ground, with the quiet brown monkey grounding the design below. The flat colour and clear line keep the strong circular shape easy to read.
On a wall the print is bold yet balanced. The strong wheel gives a room a clear focal point, which suits a hallway, a study or a child's room, and its red and brown read clearly against pale or wood-toned walls.
Available as an unframed print on thick matte paper, f . . . Read More >>
This sheet from Collected Illustrations of Japanese Toys by Kawasaki Kyosen (1877–1942) shows a large red-rimmed spoked wheel from a festival cart, set with a decorated cart body and a small blue figure, with a seated brown monkey toy resting at the base. Festival carts, or dashi, are central to many local celebrations, and toy versions carried their spirit into the home.
Kyosen recorded the scene as omocha-e, a woodblock picture of toys, drawing each part from observation. He printed the bold red wheel and the cart's painted details against the open ground, with the quiet brown monkey grounding the design below. The flat colour and clear line keep the strong circular shape easy to read.
On a wall the print is bold yet balanced. The strong wheel gives a room a clear focal point, which suits a hallway, a study or a child's room, and its red and brown read clearly against pale or wood-toned walls.
Available as an unframed print on thick matte paper, framed behind shatter-resistant acrylic, or as a satin-coated cotton canvas, each true to the colour and hand-cut line of the original sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is depicted in this print?
A large red-rimmed festival cart wheel with a decorated cart body and a small blue figure, plus a seated monkey toy below — folk toys drawn from life.
What is a festival cart?
A dashi is a decorated cart pulled in local festivals; toy versions like this brought the festival's spirit into everyday play, recorded by Kyosen.
Who is the artist?
Kawasaki Kyosen (1877–1942), who documented Japanese folk toys as woodblock omocha-e in the early twentieth century.
Where does this print work?
Its strong wheel makes a clear focal point for a hallway, study or child's room, and the red-and-brown scheme reads clearly on pale or wood-toned walls.
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Japan historical period: Taisho 大正 (1912-1925)
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