Nakazawa Hiromitsu: Kyoto geisha taking a nap at “Inn at Gion”

Artist: Nakazawa Hiromitsu (1874-1964)
Title: Inn at Gion
Date: 1935

A young Kyoto geisha in a sea-blue kimono sneaks a moment’s rest, either before or after a long night of entertaining guests. Beside her we see her shamisen, hand drum and fan, tools of her trade. She sleeps using a neck rest so that her ornate hairstyle does not get mussed. Her gently parted lips are red below and green above, the green a lip color that has long connoted youthful freshness in ukiyo-e.  Her face has been powdered white, with a soft sheen of blush on her eyes and cheeks. Numbered verso 56 out of a limited edition of 250. 

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Mint.
Dimensions: 30.7 x 45 cm (somewhat larger than oban)
Publisher: Kato Junji
Seal: Hiro (artist’s seal) and Nakazawa

SKU: NHM011