Assembly Instructions
1
Using a craft knife and ruler cut across the center
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2
Take each seperate card and fold down the middle
length wise
3
Use either spray glue or double-sided tape to stick
the inside sections of the card together.
You will then be left with four seperate cards.
Pictures of the Floating World | ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation
4
Press firmly down on the card to seal.
Note: Each A4 Sheet makes four cards.
Pictures of the Floating World
Challenges
挑 戦する
チョウセン
A
Pictures of the Floating World
A
Captures
捕える
トラ　A
A samurai could attack an outlaw.
Artwork
Kobayashi TOSHIMITSU
Two brave heroes battling near the white
foot of Mt. Ryozan 1884
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Challenges
挑 戦する
チョウセン
A
Pictures of the Floating World
Changes into
化ける
バ
A
After being caught attempting to steal fish,
the river pirate Ri Ki is challenged to a
fight by the owner of the local fish market,
Cho Jun.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Cho Jun, the White Splash in the Waves,
wrestling in the river with Ri Ki, the Black
Whirl Wind 1887
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Captures
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
攻撃する
コウ ゲキ
捕える
トラ　A
The rejected lover took his revenge and
then allowed himself to be captured.
Artwork
Toyohara KUNICHIKA
The actor Ichikawa Sadanji I as Sano
Jirozaemon 1888
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Changes into
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
A
Attacks
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
攻撃する
コウ ゲキ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Attacks
化ける
バ
A
The magic spirit dog changes into human
form to marry the princess.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNISADA
The eight canine heroes of the House of
Satomi c. 1851–53
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Dies
死ぬ
シ
A
Pictures of the Floating World
呪い
ノロ
A
Defeats
負かす
マ　A
The courtesan Usugumo has been
murdered and believes the samurai’s wife
is responsible because of a curse she
once placed on her. In revenge, Usugumo
kills the samurai’s wife.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI
Theatrical scene: The cat-spectre in the
old temple c. 1847
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Dies
死ぬ
シ
A
Pictures of the Floating World
Dreams of
夢を見る
ユメ　ミ
A
Shinohara Kunimoto was killed in the
Satsuma rebellion of 1877.
Artwork
Toyohara KUNICHIKA
The actor Onoe Kikugoro V in the play
The Death of Shinohara Kunimoto in
Battle 1878
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Defeats
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
A
Curses
負かす
マ　A
Kusunoki Masatsura found himself
surrounded by overwhelming numbers.
In the art work Kusunoki Masatsura and
two of his retainers are shown as they
desperately fend off a storm of arrows
Artwork
Utagawa YOSHITSUYA
The death of Kusunoki Masatsura
19th century
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Dreams of
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
ノロ
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
呪い
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Curses
夢を見る
ユメ　ミ
A
The Shogun, Tsunayoshi, is fast asleep
dreaming of his favourite courtesan,
Oyanagi no Okata.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
A woman saving the nation 1886
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Loves
愛する
アイ
A
Pictures of the Floating World
魔 法 を か ける
マ ホウ
A
Lets go of
諦 める
アキラ　A
To ensure that a shrine was completed
before the sun set, Taira no Kiyomori
climbed onto the roof and kept the sun
from setting by waving his magic fan.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Taira no Kiyomori stopping the descent of
the sun c. 1876
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Loves
愛する
アイ
A
Pictures of the Floating World
Meditates on
瞑 想 する
メイ ソウ
A
Gompachi and Komurasaki is a tragic tale
of two lovers. Having turned to crime to
try to raise money to buy Komurasaki’s
freedom, Gompachi is caught and
executed. Learning of her lover’s death,
Komurasaki commits suicide.
Artwork
Kitagawa UTAMARO
The lovers Gompachi and Komurasaki
c. 1790
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Lets go of
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
A
Enchants
諦 める
アキラ　A
Shirai Gompachi, a dispossessed
samurai, is trapped. In one dramatic move
he lets go of his love and his life.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNISADA
Shirai Gompachi 1860
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Meditates on
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
マ ホウ
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
魔 法 を か ける
B=Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Enchants
瞑 想 する
メイ ソウ
A
Meditating on life, a courtesan could
see a ghostly vision of a procession of
skeletons. From this vision she might
understand the impermanence of life.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The enlightenment of Jigoku-dayu 1890
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Says to
言う
イ
A
Pictures of the Floating World
明らかにする
アキ
A
Sacrifices
犠 牲にする
ギ セイ　A
An uprising was led by a group of
discontented samurai. They were
dispossessed as a result of the
reunification and modernisation of Japan
after the downfall of the Shogun. The
revolt was suppressed by imperial forces
and the rebel leaders died in battle.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The death of the rebel leaders in the
Battle of the Kumamoto Uprising 1876
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Says to
言う
イ
A
Pictures of the Floating World
Steals
盗む
ヌス
A
A long-nosed goblin (tengu) dressed in
the garb of a mountain priest (yamabushi)
appeared before Kobayakawa Takakage.
Takakage’s followers were overcome with
fear and astonishment as the general and
the goblin began their conversation.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Kobayakawa Takakage debating with the
goblin priest (Tengu) on Mount Hiko 1902
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Sacrifices
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
A
Reveals
犠 牲にする
ギ セイ　A
Takamori sacrifices his own life rather than
face capture or defeat.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The suicide of Saigo Takamorii 1877
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Steals
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
アキ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
明らかにする
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Reveals
盗む
ヌス
A
The demon Ibaraki had her arm cut off
by the samurai, Watanabe. Disguised as
Watanabe’s Aunt, she tricked him and
stole back her arm.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The old demon woman retrieving her arm
1889
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Gojo Bridge
五条橋
ゴ ジョウ バシ
B
Pictures of the Floating World
真っ黒
マ　クロ
B
Deep red
深い赤
フカ　アカ
B
Dark black symbolises the cave at night
where an attack takes place.
Artwork
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU
Shiten-o vanquishes a white monkey on
Kiso Mountain during the Yowa period 1853
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Gojo Bridge
五条橋
ゴ ジョウ バシ
B
Pictures of the Floating World
Cloudy sky
曇り空
クモ　ゾラ
B
Gojo Bridge is a site where two samurai
warriors fought with swords. It can be
just a way to get across a river or it could
be a place where someone might be
challenged and attacked.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI
Ushiwaka overcoming Benkei at the Gojo
Bridge early 19th century
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Deep red
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
B
Dark black
深い赤
フカ　アカ
B
Deep red is the colour of the rooftop of
Horyukaku, a tower of the Koga Castle.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Two brave men on the roof of Horyukaku
1885
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Cloudy sky
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
マ　クロ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
真っ黒
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Dark black
曇り空
クモ　ゾラ
B
Cloudy sky is the colour of sky behind the
rooftops where Jirozaemon is captured.
Artwork
Toyohara KUNICHIKA
The actor Ichikawa Sadanji I as Sano
Jirozaemon 1888
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Beige
ベージュ
B
Pictures of the Floating World
琵琶湖
ビ　ワ　コ
B
Mt. Ryozan
梁山
リョウ ザン　B
Lake Biwa is where the slave trader
seized the youth, Umewaka. The cherry
blossom symbolises the brevity of life.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The story of Umewaka at the Sumida River
1883
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Beige
ベージュ
B
Pictures of the Floating World
River bank
川沿い
カワ　ゾ
B
Beige is the background colour of the
sky as the old demon, disguised as
Watanabe’s aunt, flies off with her arm.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The old demon woman retrieving her arm
1889
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Mt. Ryozan
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
B
Lake Biwa
梁山
リョウ ザン　B
Mt. Ryozan is a sunlit winter mountain.
Artwork
Kobayashi TOSHIMITSU
Two brave heroes battling near the white
foot of Mt. Ryozan 1884
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
River bank
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
ビ　ワ　コ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
琵琶湖
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Lake Biwa
川沿い
カワ　ゾ
B
The river bank is the site where police trap
Gompachi on the Sumida River.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNISADA
Shirai Gompachi 1860
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Stormy boat
嵐の中の船
アラシ　ナカ　フネ
B
Pictures of the Floating World
B
Snow white 雪のように白 い
ユキ　シロ
B
Sky blue is the light blue colour of the sky
behind Gompachi on the Sumida River.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNISADA
Shirai Gompachi 1860
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Stormy boat
嵐の中の船
アラシ　ナカ　フネ
B
Pictures of the Floating World
Sumida River
隅田川
スミ ダ ガワ
B
Stormy boat is the scene of the ritual
suicide of Takamori, who failed in a revolt
against the government.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The suicide of Saigo Takamori 1877
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Snow white 雪のように白 い
ユキ　シロ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
空色
ソラ イロ
B
Snow white is the colour of the snow in
the winter landscape of Mt Ryozan.
Artwork
Kobayashi TOSHIMITSU
Two brave heroes battling near the white
foot of Mt. Ryozan 1884
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Sumida River
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
B
Sky blue
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
空色
ソラ イロ
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Sky blue
隅田川
スミ ダ ガワ
B
Sumida River is where Gompachi
becomes trapped by the police and
commits suicide.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNISADA
Shirai Gompachi 1860
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Winter hut
冬の小屋
フユ　コ
ヤ
B
Pictures of the Floating World
夕焼け
B
ユウ ヤ
Dark green
深 み どり
フカ
B
An orange sunset and the glow of the
battle provide a dramatic background for
the death of a group of rebel leaders.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The death of the rebel leaders in the Battle
of the Kumamoto Uprising 1876
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Winter hut
冬の小屋
フユ　コ
ヤ
B
Pictures of the Floating World
Winter lake
冬の池
フユ　イケ
B
Winter hut is the home of the legendary
swordsman and site of a ferocious duel. A
young samurai attacked an old man who
laughed at his boasting. The old man was
a master swordsman and easily fended off
the attack with a saucepan lid.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The duel between Miyamoto Musashi and
Tsukahara Bokuden 1885
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Dark green
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Sunset
深 み どり
フカ
B
Dark green is the green-grey colour of the
background behind Kirino Hisa.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Kirino Toshiaki’s wife 1880
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Winter lake
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
B
ユウ ヤ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
夕焼け
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Sunset
冬の池
フユ　イケ
B
The winter lake lies at the foot of
Mt. Royzan.
Artwork
Kobayashi TOSHIMITSU
Two brave heroes battling near the white
foot of Mt. Ryozan 1884
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Slave trader
奴隷の売人
ド レイ　バイ ニン
C
Pictures of the Floating World
ダイ ショウ ジョウ ボ
C
Jigoku-dayu
地獄太夫
ジ ゴク　ダ
ユウ
C
Dai Shojobo is King of the Tengus. He is
a goblin and expert in martial arts. When
teaching a young samurai to fight, he uses
a branch of blossom instead of a sword.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The king of the Tengus teaching martial
arts to Yoshitsune 1886
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Slave trader
奴隷の売人
ド レイ　バイ ニン
C
Pictures of the Floating World
Tengu priest
天狗坊
テン グ ボウ
C
The slave trader captured the youthful
Umekawa.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The story of Umewaka at the Sumida
River 1883
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Jigoku-dayu
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
C
Dai Shojobo 大 相 模 坊
地獄太夫
ジ ゴク　ダ
ユウ
C
Jigoku-dayu was a courtesan who
converted to religious life.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The enlightenment of Jigoku-dayu 1890
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Tengu priest
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
ダイ ショウ ジョウ ボ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
大相模坊
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Dai Shojobo
天狗坊
テン グ ボウ
C
This Tengu (a long-nosed goblin) has
disguised himself, wearing the robes of a
priest.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Kobayakawa Takakage debating with the
goblin priest (Tengu) on Mount Hiko 1902
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Angry
怒る
オコ
E
Pictures of the Floating World
C
Yoshitsune
義経
ヨシ ツネ
C
Umekawa is a 12-year-old youth dressed
as a temple page. He was captured by a
slave trader.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The story of Umewaka at the Sumida River
1883
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Angry
怒る
オコ
E
Pictures of the Floating World
Brave
勇敢
ユウ カン
E
This young, brash swordsman became
angry when an old man laughed at his
boasting.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The duel between Miyamoto Musashi and
Tsukahara Bokuden 1885
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Yoshitsune
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
梅川
ウメ カワ
義経
ヨシ ツネ
C
Yoshitsune was taught martial arts by the
goblins. He grew up to be a general of the
Minamoto clan.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The king of the Tengus teaching martial
arts to Yoshitsune 1886
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Brave
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
C
Umekawa
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
梅川
ウメ カワ
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Umekawa
勇敢
ユウ カン
E
This little dog was very brave to attack
a gigantic magical snake. His samurai
masters were afraid. He showed them
that it was just a trick, an illusion.
Artwork
Utagawa YOSHITSUYA
Raiko breaks Hakamadare’s magical spell
and captures him 1858
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Vengeful
執念深い
シュウ ネン ブカ
E
Pictures of the Floating World
E
Courageous
勇 気 が ある
ユウ キ
E
Dai Shojobo, the King of the Goblins,
taught Yoshitsune martial arts. He used a
blossom branch (a symbol of the brevity
of life) instead of a sword. His teachings
helped Yoshitsune to grow up brave and
clever.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The king of the Tengus teaching martial
arts to Yoshitsune 1886
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Vengeful
執念深い
シュウ ネン ブカ
E
Pictures of the Floating World
Desperate
絶望的
ゼツ ボウ テキ
E
Kirino Toshiaki’s wife, Hisa, led the
women’s troops in the Satsuma rebellion.
During the fight she stood at the head of
the women’s troops; when resting she
offered help, shared out food and looked
after the soldiers’ needs, together in
suffering and joy.
Artwork
Toyohara KUNICHIKA
Ichikawa Udanji as the ghost of Sogoro in
the play Sakura Sogoro 1893
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Courageous 勇 気 が ある
ユウ キ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
賢い
カシコ
E
The Shogun’s wife has discovered a plot
to kill her husband. She courageously
plans to kill the courtesan’s father (and
then herself) in order to save the nation
and her husband.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
A woman saving the Nation 1886
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Desperate
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
E
Clever
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
賢い
カシコ
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Clever
絶望的
ゼツ ボウ テキ
E
Kusunoki Masatsura found himself
surrounded by overwhelming numbers.
In the art work Kusunoki Masatsura and
two of his retainers are shown as they
desperately fend off a storm of arrows.
Artwork
Utagawa YOSHITSUYA
The death of Kusunoki Masatsura
19th century
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Hopeless
絶望的
ゼツ ボウ テキ
E
Pictures of the Floating World
E
Heroic
勇ましく
イサ
E
Kirino Toshiaki’s wife, Hisa, led the
women’s troops in the Satsuma rebellion.
During the fight she stood at the head of
the women’s troops; when resting she
offered help, shared out food and looked
after the soldiers’ needs, together in
suffering and joy.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Kirino Toshiaki’s wife 1880
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Hopeless
絶望的
ゼツ ボウ テキ
E
Pictures of the Floating World
Love
愛
アイ
E
The rebel leaders feel hopeless as they
are defeated by the imperial forces
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The death of the rebel leaders in the Battle of the Kumamoto Uprising 1876
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Heroic
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
従 順 な
ジュウ ジュン
勇ましく
イサ
E
Shinohara Kunimoto died heroically in the
Satsuma rebellion of 1877.
Artwork
Toyohara KUNICHIKA
The actor Onoe Kikugoro V in the play
The Death of Shinohara Kunimoto in
Battle 1878
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Love
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
E
Dutiful
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
従 順 な
ジュウ ジュン
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Dutiful
愛
アイ
E
Gompachi and Komurasaki is a tragic tale
of two lovers. Having turned to crime to
try to raise money to buy Komurasaki’s
freedom, Gompachi is caught and
executed. Learning of her lover’s death,
Komurasaki commits suicide.
Artwork
Kitagawa UTAMARO
The lovers Gompachi and Komurasaki
c. 1790
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Resigned
諦 める
アキラ
E
Pictures of the Floating World
E
Rash
気が早い
キ　ハヤ
E
The Ghost Kohada Koheiji menaces his
sleeping wife Otawa.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNISADA
The actor Bando Hikosaburo in two roles: The
ghost of Kohada Koheiji and his sleeping wife
Otawa in the play Iroiri Otogigusa c. 1830
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Resigned
諦 める
アキラ
E
Pictures of the Floating World
Sad
悲しい
カナ
E
The samurai Saiko Takamori is resigned
to his fate after the rebellion that he led
has failed.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The suicide of Saigo Takamori 1877
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Rash
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
脅 迫 的
キョウ ハク テキ
気が早い
キ　ハヤ
E
Benkei rashly attacks Ushiwakato just to
obtain his sword. He wants 1,000 sword
tips to make a magic sword, but he loses
the fight.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI
Ushiwaka overcoming Benkei at the Gojo
Bridge early 19th century
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Sad
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
E
Menacing
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
脅 迫 的
キョウ ハク テキ
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Menacing
悲しい
カナ
E
Uto Yasukata swore to avenge his father’s
death. His ghost was said to haunt the
surroundings during days of turbulent
weather.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNISADA
The actor Onoe Baiko IV as Yasukata no
Borei, the Ghost of Yasukata 1852
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Banner
旗
ハタ
P
Pictures of the Floating World
恥 ず べき
ハ
E
Sorrowful
哀れな
アワ
E
To honour a promise made by her father,
Princess Fuse reluctantly married a magic
spirit dog. Shamed at becoming pregnant,
the princess opens her stomach with a
sharp blade, exposing eight magic jewels
which transform into eight babies.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNISADA
The eight canine heroes of the House of
Satomi c. 1851-53
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Banner
旗
ハタ
P
Pictures of the Floating World
Birds
鳥
トリ
P
This banner is used to rally the troops and
can be seen as a symbol of rebellion.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The death of the rebel leaders in the
Battle of the Kumamoto Uprising 1876
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Sorrowful
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
E
Shameful
哀れな
アワ
E
Umekawa, who has been training as a
priest, dies at the hand of a slave trader.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The story of Umewaka at the Sumida
River 1883
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Birds
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
ハ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
恥 ず べき
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Shameful
鳥
トリ
P
Startled birds fly into the distance as
duelling brothers battle each other on the
roof of Koga Castle.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Two brave men on the roof of Horyukaku
1885
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Fish
魚
サカナ
P
Pictures of the Floating World
花 が 咲く
ハナ　サ
P
Bundle
包み
P
ツツ
The white petals of cherry blossoms only
have a short life before falling in the wind.
This is seen as a symbol of the brevity of
life.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The story of Umewaka at the Sumida River
1883
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Fish
魚
サカナ
P
Pictures of the Floating World
Incense pot
香炉
コウ　ロ
P
These fish might have escaped after being
stolen by Ri Ki, the river pirate. Or they
might be magical messengers, able to
travel across lakes, rivers and the sea.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
Cho Jun, the White Splash in the Waves,
wrestling in the river with Ri Ki, the Black
Whirl Wind 1887
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Bundle
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
P
Blossom
包み
P
ツツ
This bundle could hold the possessions
of the travelling samurai, Musashi, who
shelters with the old man.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The duel between Miyamoto Musashi and
Tsukahara Bokuden 1885
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Incense pot
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
ハナ　サ
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
花 が 咲く
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Blossom
香炉
コウ　ロ
P
The incense pot is a symbol of mystical
power.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The king of the Tengus teaching martial
arts to Yoshitsune 1886
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Steaming box
蒸 籠
セイ
ロ
P
Pictures of the Floating World
P
Note
手紙
テ
P
ガミ
A lamp might symbolise enlightenment
and knowledge.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The enlightenment of Jigoku-dayu
1890
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Steaming box
蒸 籠
セイ
ロ
P
Pictures of the Floating World
Paper & brush
紙と筆
カミ　フデ
P
This bento box (food container) holds food
that resembles Mt Fuji. It may have been
eaten before the Shogun fell asleep.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
A woman saving the Nation
1886
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Pictures of the Floating World
Note
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
灯り
アカ
手紙
テ
P
ガミ
This note could be a wish of good luck for
success or it could be a dreadful curse.
Artwork
Utagawa KUNIYOSI
Theatrical scene: The cat-spectre in the
old temple c. 1847
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/
Paper & brush
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
P
Lamp
B= Background C=Character P=Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
灯り
アカ
B=Background C=Character P= Prop E=Emotion A=Actiion
Lamp
紙と筆
カミ　フデ
P
The writing set rests on sheets of paper,
which could be Takamori’s suicide note.
Artwork
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI
The suicide of Saigo Takamori
1877
ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/FloatingWorld/fweducation/