CRAFTSWOMAN AT DAISHIGAWARA (Utagawa Kunisada, Utagawa Hiroshige II)

N.1 ukiyo-e woodblock print
Year: 1864
Condition: very good
Size: 24 x 35,5 cm

SOLD

Description

Evocative view of Mount Fuji (富士山) from the perspective of Daishigawara (大師河原), in today’s Kanagawa prefecture (神奈川県). In the lower part of the work, a craftswoman is intent on making a popular souvenir of that area, that is small boxes decorated with colored straw, which were originally produced by farmers in the village of Omori (大森村). Behind the woman two more examples of her craftsmanship: a wild boar and a Dutchman smoking a cigar.

The precious woodblock print, entitled “Omori Handicrafts at Daishigawara” (大師河原大森細工), is taken from the series “The Pride of Edo: Thirty-six Scenes” (江戸自慢三十六興). The landscape was made by the artist Utagawa Hiroshige II (二代目歌川広重), the human figure instead by Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞).

The print, produced in February 1864 by the publisher Hiranoya Shinzo (平野屋新蔵), owner of Aikindo (愛錦堂), and by the carver Ota Komakichi (太田駒吉), despite the right signs of aging is in very good general condition.