Koryusai 湖竜斎: Two Beauties, One Petting a Dog i河内 (SOLD)
Artist: Isoda Koryūsai 磯田湖竜斎(active ca. 1760s-1780s)
Title: Kawachi河内 Ikoma-yama 伊（生）駒山 Date: ca. 1770
Series: Historic Places in The Five Districts with Refined Elegance（Furyû go-kinai koseki 風流五畿内古跡）
A very elegant young woman lowers herself to a kneeling position, her attention focused on the dog in her lap; he seems to be licking her hand. She wears the long-sleeved furisode that a young, unmarried woman would wear. Her equally elegant companion is standing and holds a shamisen. This work has unusually well-preserved color for its age, with the fugitive blue and purple pigments still strong, so we can appreciate the full beauty of their kimono. From the verandah we glimpse a full moon rising above distant hills, a pine tree to the right and clouds covering most of the scene. In the clouds above is a waka poem, which seems to start with “Ikoma-yama”, and mentions the autumn moon and clouds.
This series deals with the traditionally famous places in the five regions surrounding Kyoto, the seat of the emperor: Yamashiro 山城, Yamato大和, Izumi和泉, Settsu摂津, and Kawachi河内. These were considered the center of culture, politics, and the economy of the time. Kawachi is the area in the southeastern part of present Osaka Pref. and was an important commerce center. “Ikoma-yama”, Mt.Ikoma in Kawachi, is located on the border between Nara and Osaka and is the highest (642m) among the Ikoma mountain range. It is famous for the autumnal full moon, which shines between two mountains; it is depicted here in the far background of this composition. It was considered especially beautiful at the full moon in the fall in the mountains, which are covered with brightly colored maple trees and wind-waving pampas grass. This scenery was loved by poets, as seen above.
Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Pigment variation along right edge might be from very small former restorations.
Dimensions: chuban (26.2 x 19.2 cm) Signature: Koryû ga 湖龍画
SKU: KOY029