/internal/media/dispatcher/984983/resize%25253Aformat%25253DthumbnailTatsu: First Carp Banners in the Fifth Month (Satsuki hatsunobori), from the series Scenes for the Twelve Correspondences According to the Ise Almanac, Middle Section (Reki chūdan tsukushi, Ise goyomi mitate jūni choku)1847–52 (Kōka 4–Kaei 5)Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)Ebisuya Shōshichi (Kinshōdō)Matsushima Masakichi (Hori Masa)Vertical ōban; 36.6 cm (14 7/16 in.)Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paperWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection11.425480The Twelve Correspondences (jūni choku), an important feature of Edo-period astrology, were a chronological sequence of days that were considered lucky or unlucky for various activities, calculated according to the orientation of the Big DIpper with respect to the twelve signs of the zodiac (jūnishi). In this series Kunisada associates each of the twelve lucky or unlucky days noted in the almanac with one of the twelve months.
The Twelve Correspondences, with rough translations, are: Tatsu (Building), Nozoku (Eliminating), Mitsu (Full), Taira (Even), Sadan (Distinguishing), Toru (Carrying Out), Yaburu (Overcoming), Ayabu (Dangerous), Naru (Fulfillment), Osan (Gathering), Hiraku (Opening), Tozu (Closing).
十二直 建（たつ） 除（のぞく） 満（みつ） 平（たいら） 定（さだん） 執、取（とる） 破（やぶる） 危（あやぶ) 成（なる） 納（おさん） 開（ひらく） 閉（とづ）Prints36.600000000047652901