Entry of the Fire Brigade at the annual celebration of the Fire Brigade (De-zome) in Edo, 1859
Colour woodcut
Sheet dimensions35,8 × 47,9 cm
About the workIn Edo, now Tokyo, timber structures, open hearths and earthquakes all led to fires with devastating consequences. Firefighters were initially only able to prevent blazes from spreading by demolishing neighbouring buildings with the help of ladders and sickles, as depicted here by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. At the annual fire brigade parades, the fire departments from each district would also display their own emblems. These are attached to the head of a pole and point in three directions to guide the crews following them to the source of the fire. Underneath the insignia are strips of paper that indicate the direction of the wind.
AccessionGift of Dr. Hans Lühdorf 1983
Provenance[...]; 1983 erworben durch Schenkung von Dr. Hans Lühdorf (Düsseldorf 1910 - 1983 Düsseldorf), Düsseldorf
Inventory numberJ 1988-154 (293)
