JAPANESE ART > ABUNA-E WOODBLOCK PRINTS > SPRING OF THE PLUM

Lot 00675
N.1 abuna-e woodblock print

Insuitei

SPRING OF THE PLUM

Period: mid 19th century
Condition: good
Size: 21,5 x 15 cm

SOLD

Fine double-page woodblock printed illustration, depicting an oiran (花魁) courtesan in the company of a guest, taken from a shunga (春画) erotic book published around the mid 19th century and titled "Renjo Ume no Haru" (恋情 梅の春), that is "Feelings of Love: Spring of the Plum".

The aforementioned volume was illustrated by an artist who, in the frontispiece, signs himself "Insuitei Gihitsu" (淫水亭戯筆), a pseudonym used in shunpon (春本) by both Ryusuitei Tanekiyo (柳水亭種清) and Koikawa Shozan (恋川笑山), two prolific authors that some scholars actually claim to be the same person.

The work on Japanese washi paper (和紙), despite some signs of aging including small woodworm holes and a slight crack in the right table, as well as faint purple stains, is in good general condition.

Back to home page »