Takeuchi Keishu: Portrait of the Courtesan Yugiri (Sold)

Artist: Takeuchi Keishû (1861-1943)
Title: Portrait of the Courtesan Yugiri  Date: 1911

Portrait of the Courtesan Yugiri. Kuchi-e were frontispiece illustrations that were folded and inserted into literary magazines and serialized novels. They were popular from about 1890-1915 and were usually woodblock printed, as here. This famous courtesan wears splendid robes; the outer one in purple with peacock feathers, and the middle layer featuring a red tie-dye pattern. 

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Some mounting remnants, verso and light pigment transfer to bottom third of print, along with the usual fold lines. Dimensions: 31 x 22.2 cm Sealed: Keishû

Literature: For an excellent overview of kuchi-e, see Helen Merritt and Nanako Yamada’s “Woodblock Kuchi-e Prints: Reflections of Meiji Culture”, 2000.

SKU: KES004