Ito Shinsui 伊東深水: Contemplating the Coming Spring (Sold)

Artist: Itō Shinsui (1898-1972)
Title: Contemplating the Coming Spring
Series: Twelve Forms of New Beauties 新美人十二姿
Date: 1923, December

A maiko shyly covers her mouth with her sleeve. An apprentice geisha, she wears the maiko’s distinctive red collar and hairstyle. She could be contemplating the public odori dances that are held each spring. The black of the robe is printed in a unique way that captures the deep texture of the fabric, the hair is perfectly interpreted (with contrasting ornaments); this is late Taisho-era printing at its finest. The Japanese has also been translated as “Melancholy in Spring” (Haru chikaki omoi), so perhaps she is concerned about her upcoming public role. From the first and only edition; sealed verso, numbered 46/150. Most of the designs in this series were printed before the 1923 earthquake; this was printed just a few months after the September 1 earthquake.

Condition: Excellent impression and condition; very good color.
Dimensions: ôban (43 x 26.3 cm)
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Literature: The female image: 20th century prints of Japanese beauties, 2000, p. 57, pl. 43. Andreas Marks, Seven Masters: 20th Century Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Wells Collection, 2015, p. 117, pl. 65..
Seal: Ito
Signature: Shinsui ga

SKU: SNI042