How does this artwork elucidate its Medium and genre?
Ryūsai Shigeharu spent his most productive years in Osaka, and as such his works are categorized as kamigata-e (上方絵). This term was used to distinguish prints produced in the Kamigata region (Kyoto and Osaka) from those produced in Edo. Gaining prominence about a century after the appearance of ukiyo-e in Edo, kamigata-e were dominated by kabuki-e (images of kabuki actors), and were almost entirely the work of amateur “talented kabuki fans” promoting their heroes. Shigeharu was a rare exception to this rule.Although the "waterfall" of the print's title might suggest that the print belongs the fūkeiga (風景画) landscape genre, the focal point is the trio of travellers in the foreground. The image is related more closely to the fūzokuga (風俗画) 'genre scene' tradition. Also translated as "pictures of manners and customs," these images of common people engaged in popular activities appealed to ukiyo-e consumers through "a tremendous sense of immediacy, a feeling that he or she is right there participating in the scene." During the later years of the Edo period "travel became a popular form of leisure and the pleasures of the natural environment, interesting landmarks, and the adventures encountered on a journey became a popular inspiration for Ukiyo-e landscape prints and books."
fūzokuga Edo kamigata-e Ukiyo-e ukiyo-e Kamigata Edo period Ryūsai Shigeharu fūkeiga