Dutch ship under full sail with guns run out. This is a Nagasaki print where the Dutch were permitted to conduct business with Japan. From the 1630s to the middle of the nineteenth century, Japan was closed to foreigners. The only Westerners allowed to stay in Japan and engage in trade were the Dutch. They had to submit to very strict regulations, however, and were only allowed to live on Deshima, a small artificial island in Nagasaki harbor. Now extremely rare, at the time of their publication the prints were sold as souvenirs to Japanese who visited Nagasaki and perhaps hoped to catch a glimpse of these strange ‘red-haired barbarians’.

Showa Edition published by Takamizawa, with publisher’s seal to reverse. Print is tipped-in on original mat backing also printed with publisher’s seal. Print is loosely hinged at the top on the mat. Some toning due to age.