Binzasara, A Dance with Clappers - Eishōsai Chōki

A traditional Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Eishōsai Chōki depicting performers in the Binzasara dance during the Niwaka Festival.

This woodblock print by Eishōsai Chōki depicts a group of performers engaged in the Binzasara dance, a traditional performance associated with the Niwaka Festival held in the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters. The artist, active during the late eighteenth century, is known for his refined depictions of bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women. In this composition, the figures are unified by their matching attire, which features a repeating leaf pattern and distinctive striped sashes. Each performer wears a flat, circular hat adorned with a floral motif, creating a sense of visual rhythm across the page.

The print captures the performers in mid-motion, holding the binzasara, a percussion instrument made of wooden slats connected by cords. Chōki employs a delicate line quality to define the features of the dancers, who share a similar facial structure characteristic of the artist's style. The composition is balanced, with the overlapping figures creating a sense of depth despite the flat application of colour. The palette is restrained, relying on soft pinks, muted greens, and the natural tone of the paper to convey the atmosphere of the festival.

As part of the series Entertainments at the Height of the Niwaka Festival in the Pleasure Quarters, this work documents the cultural activities that occurred within the urban entertainment districts of Edo-period Japan. The inclusion of calligraphic text in the upper portion of the print provides context for the scene, identifying the specific dance and the setting. This print offers a view into the aesthetic preferences and social customs of the era, demonstrating the technical skill involved in multi-block printing processes. The work remains a clear example of the Ukiyo-e tradition, where the focus lies on the depiction of contemporary life and popular entertainment.