Kuniyoshi 国芳: Beauty with Umbrella and Blue Tie-dye Kimono (SOLD)
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)
Title: Kimono Pattern with Teppô Tie-dye (Teppoo shiboriてっぽう志ぼり)
Series: The Pride of Edo: Latest Purchase From the Maker (Edo jiman tôsei shiire 江戸自慢程好仕入)
Date: 1847-1852
A beauty holding an umbrella makes the gesture with her left hand of calling out to an acquaintance. She wears a stunning ai-dyed (dark blue) yukata summer kimono with undulating rows of brilliant blue lozenge-shaped tie dye patterns on it. Her long white towel swings on her shoulder as a charming, informal touch. On her umbrella the name of the shop is written: Toyoda-ya. The inset shows Kanpei from the scene of the 5th act of the story of the 47 Ronin, known as the Chushingura.
The kyoka poem by Umeya reads: “Soaking wet sleeves to wring due to the sudden summer rain just like bullets! Please let me have a raden-decorated sword, umbrella against this shower!” (sode shiboru teppoo amenoshita raden kashite kudasai yuudachi no kasa). Note that raden is a type of decorative inlay using shells to created designs.
This series of beauties serves also as advertisements for kimono patterns, and introduces fashionable five tie-die designs. These are: 1.Hogusome ほぐそめ 2. Gobanshima ごばんしま3. Teppoo shibori てっぽう志ぼり4. Shoobu-kawa しょうぶかわ5. Yoshino kantooよしのかんとう. This print is the third of the series. The title cartouche imitates the special packing paper that was specifically used for kimono storage.
Provenance: Varshavsky Collection
Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Minor trimming.
Dimensions: ôban (36 x 24.8 cm cm)
Publisher: Enshuya Matabei 遠州屋又兵衛
Seal: kiri
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga
SKU: KUY605