SNOW IN YOSHIWARA (Utagawa Kunisada)

N.1 ukiyo-e woodblock print
Year: 1820 ca.
Condition: fair
Size: 26 x 38 cm

SOLD

Description

Important original woodblock print of vertical large oban (大判) format made around 1820 by the artist Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞). The work is the right panel of a rare triptych entitled “Snow is Welcome in Yoshiwara” (雪もよし原) and depicts a gorgeous oiran (花魁) courtesan from the famous pleasure district.

The aforementioned triptych is part of the series “Fashionable Snow, Moon and Flowers” (風流雪月花の内), produced by the publisher Tsuruya Kinsuke (鶴屋金助), owner of Sokakudo (雙鶴堂).

The print on Japanese washi paper (和紙), despite the obvious signs of aging including restorations on the upper part, is in overall fair condition.