Kunisada: The Joyful Type うれしそう (Ureshi so) Reading a Theater Program (SOLD)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)
Title: The Joyful Type うれしそう (Ureshi so) Reading a Theater Program

Series: The Modern Thirty-two Types 今様三十二相 (Imayô sanjû-ni sô)  Date: 1859

Ureshi so (”Looking Happy”). A beautifully-dressed woman looks up from what seems to be an illustrated book, but is more likely a theater program (shibai banzuke) that she holds in her hand. She has it open to a page of five figures in dramatic poses; there is some writing at the top that might be partially legible (see below). Her kimono features lush flowering peonies against a purple background.

Sô 相 is used in the both the series title and in Buddhist terminology to denote the physical aspects of perfection of an enlightened Buddha. Therefore, the Thirty-Two Aspects of a Buddha. However, Sô does not simply mean face or expression. It suggest an outward appearance that reveals an underlying quality or condition. On the other hand, Sô is a Japanese grammatical suffix meaning “looking….” or “seeming …”.

In this series, Kunisada depicted the features and pose of contemporary women, showing the gestures that convey an inner emotional state, as later Kuniyoshi created the series “Fûryû sanjû-ni sô”.

Here the beauty is turning her head towards her right, sticking out her tongue a little bit. In her hand she holds a book, of which open page has writing that is probably saying “? ? の場“(Scene of  ??)

The background is completely covered with deep “ai” (藍), indigo. This especially draws our eyes to the delicately carved hairline.

In a square inset left above we see a small wooden box with the characters Yanagi-shima 柳嶋 with a crest, some red cloths, and a part of a hanging lantern. Other insets in the series are made by Ukiyo-e artists Biso-tei Gengyo梅素亭玄魚 (1817-1880). The crest might be his family crest. Yanagi-shima may refer to a famous corner area along the Sumida river, which was popular with a restaurant and the Temple Myôken-ji, which is featured in a Kabuki drama during the scene Yanagishima Myôken-ji in “Osome Hisamatsu ukina no yomiuri 於染久松色売販”. Myôken Tea House, de-ch-ya 出茶屋 Myôken cha-ya also appeasr in the drama. The hanging lantern has a character “ya”(屋). (With thanks to Michiko Sato-Grube for her research here.)

Perhaps she is at the theater, (as she is dressed for it), or about to experience it--this may have to do with why she is described as happy.  Kunisada was flexing his muscles as the most popular ukiyo-e artist of the time, as this and other series of the period feature absolutely dazzling printing techniques. Here there is gauffrauge in the beauty’s white robe collar as well as a soft blindprinting in her face to give dimension to her nose ridge. It has been printed on heavy, deluxe paper.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good/excellent condition. Small repair in inset cartouche at left.

Dimensions: ôban (38 x 25.4 cm)  Publisher: Yamaguchi-ya Fujibei
Signature: Toyokuni ga 豊国画

Sealed: Yokowawa Hori-Take 横川彫竹 namely Yokokawa Takejirô I (carver)

SKU: KUS640