Color on a paulownia board
123.0�~126.5cm

In 1844 at age 85, Hokusai visited Obuse and spent about six months working on the Ryu (Dragon) and Ho-o (Chinese Phoenix) paintings for the Higashi-machi Festival float.
The sharp contrast of the indigo-colored phoenix against the crimson background dragon highlights the decorative effect on the festival float.
Records indicate that this float was replicated in 1805. It is the oldest among seven floats maintained in Obuse. The work was ordered by Takai Kozan and was produced by Hokusai. A portion of the float ceiling was reconstructed to fit the two paintings. (Nagano's prefectural treasure)

*Click image for a further enlargement of this work.