A Sweet-Stuff Stall
Mortimer Menpes
1901
Watercolour
Source: Japan, A Record in Colour, facing p. 184
When Menpes first came to Japan, he was entranced by the children gathered like butterflies at such stalls. In this later chapter, the children are quickly sketched in, and remain quite blurred. What stands out is the pretty red lantern above the stall, with its white flower motif, picking up the white of the sweet-stuff seller's bonnet. An adult stands with the children — probably their parent, waiting to pay for the treat.