Kunisada: Sumiyoshi Shrine in Settsu Province (Settsu Sumiyoshi) (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada
Title: Sumiyoshi Shrine in Settsu Province (Settsu Sumiyoshi)
Series: A competition of Beauties and Celebrated Views of Japan (honchô fûkei bijin kurabe)
Date: ca. 1832-34 (Tempô period)

We see a beauty who wears a red, white and blue robe, raising her sleeve to her mouth in a coy gesture. We can tell from the tabi (socks) on her feet, that this is could perhaps be a portrait of a female impersonator. She carries a porcelain incense burner as she approaches an unseen male companion, whose presence is suggested by a lacquer inro and netsuke and a roll of paper on the floor. Ten prints of this series are done with aizuri-e (blue-printed picture) and in the style of Chinese exotica, which were fashionable at that time. In cartouches views are framed in the form of blue and white porcelain plaques in elaborate frames with silk tassels and glass ornaments. The views were compared with beauties.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudô)
Literature: Izzard, Sebastian: Kunisada’s World, 1993, p.135. Another impression is in the MFA Boston collection.
Seal: censor’s seal: Kiwame
Signature: Kôchôrô Kunisada ga with double toshidama seal

SKU: KUS278