JAPANESE ART > ABUNA-E WOODBLOCK PRINTS > GEISHA OF FUKAGAWA

Lot 00852
N.1 abuna-e woodblock print

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

GEISHA OF FUKAGAWA

Year: 1837
Condition: fair
Size: 13 x 17,5 cm

SOLD

Fine woodblock printed illustration made in 1837 by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) and depicting a geisha (芸者) of Fukagawa (深川), the oldest geisha district in Japan. The woman is portrayed while carrying the case containing her shamisen (三味線) lute. In the background a suggestive glimpse of daily life on the waters of the Sumida River (隅田川).

The print is taken from vol. 3 (下) of an erotic shunga (春画) work made by the artist in collaboration with Kujiritei Sanehiko (九尻亭佐寝彦), pseudonym of the famous writer Ryutei Tanehiko (柳亭種彦), and entitled "Colors of Spring: A Record Book of Ships Entering the Harbor" (春色入船帳).

The woodblock print, produced by the publisher Tsuruya Kiemon (鶴屋喜右衛門), owner of Senkakudo (僊鶴堂), despite the right signs of aging and a tiny tear in the upper part of the left margin, is in fair condition.

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