Toyokuni I: A Woman Weaving at a Loom

Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni I 豊国 (1769-1825)
Title: A Woman Weaving at a Loom 
Date: ca. 1790s

A beauty focuses on her large weaving loom, her foot seen on one of the pedals and her sleeves tied back for her work. Another woman carries what looks like a teacup, while in the foreground a small boy plays with three puppies. In the background we see geese descending on rice fields in the distance. Although (often luxurious) fabrics feature very prominently in Japanese prints, ukiyo-e images of women in the process of weaving are scarce and seldom seen. Utamaro designed a few famous images of women weaving at about the same time as Toyokuni designed this print, including a series on women’s handicrafts. Provenance: Varshavsky Collection.

Literature: See MFA, ACCESSION NUMBER 06.671 for another example. 

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: aiban 32.2 x 21.5 cm
Publisher: Wakasaya Yoichi (Jakurindo)
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: TOK054