Kiyochika 清親: Three Geisha in One (Reserved)

Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika 小林清親 (1847-1915)
Title: Three Geisha in One
Date: ca. 1878

Strikingly inventive portrait of “Three Geisha: Kayo of Kyoto, Hitotsuru of Osaka, and Kokichi of Tokyo”. The theme of beauties from the three capitals dates back over two centuries in ukiyo-e, but here Kiyochika has used the device of overlapping the eyes to combine all three into a single oval portrait. The three share a single fan and hair ornament. The artist has also given the portrait the flavor of a photograph, and uses a western frame above with a Japanese poem card at right. In another unique twist, the woodblock printing mimics lithographic printing within the oval of the portrait. The poem card is a haiku that reads, “Oh to see moon and snow together in the mountain of blossoms”. The ancient theme of “snow, moon, flower” seems evident on the fan. WIth some mica evident in the upper cartouche.

Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition; barely visible horizontal crease
Dimensions: ôban (36 x 24.8 cm)
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Literature: Pictured in “Kiyochika: Artist of Meiji Japan” by Henry D. Smith II, figure 15, page 28.  See Smithsonian example online for the Muller example.
Signature: Kobayashi Kiyochika

SKU: KYC467