"Smiles of Civilization" Senryu (2) 〽 Cats are 'chutle', says the English know-it-all
〽 Daikoku becomes a wife in this age of civilization.
〽 Sukiyaki is also served, says the priest in this age of civilization.
* "Daikoku" refers to a monk's wife.
* "Sukiyaki" refers to a sukiyaki pot.
〽 With only civilized people, the tanuki cannot transform.
〽 The tanuki is surprised, its testicles spread across four tatami mats.
〽 A fart in Western clothes comes out from the heel.
* "Kibisu" means heel.
〽 Ceramics are 'ponto-ware', says the foreigner.
〽 Cats are 'chutle', says the English know-it-all.
"Ponto-ware" is a pun on 'ponto waru' (breaking with a pop), and "chutle" is a pun on 'chu-toru' (catching mice). 🐱🐭
* "Setomono" refers to ceramics.
* "Shittaburi" means acting like a know-it-all.
〽 A husband who brings a dowry and equal rights for the wife, it doesn't quite work.
〽 A skilled wife who doesn't show her husband's tears.
The illustration depicts a wife mending a tear in her husband's haori jacket.
* "Fukurobe" means a tear or fray (fukuroberu).
Reference: "Haikai Michishirube: Vol. 2, Part 2 (fukuroberu)", "Meiji New Arts Complete Book" (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
* "Tsureai" means spouse.
* "Tekiki" means having excellent skills.
● indicates characters that could not be deciphered. I will update as needed when new characters are deciphered or if I notice typos or misreadings. For details, please read the "Introduction / Disclaimer". 📖