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| Notes (1st edition) | Artist: Utamaro, Kitagawa, 1750-1806 Title: The Interesting Type Series: Ten Types in the Physiognomic Study of Women Date: 1792-1793 Medium: woodblock Dimensions: 15 x 10 inches Illustrated: Utamaro, pl. 56 | |
| Publisher (this edition): | Tsutaya | Takamizawa |
| Date of this item: | 1792-1793 | 1970 |
| Notes (this edition) These notes were written by the original owner/seller/auctioner of the item and may be inaccurate.: | Condition: Slight trimming; fading; soiling and toning at front and on reverse; losses to silver mica background; creases; small pin-sized holes Comments: Dimensions given are for entire sheet; exceedingly rare and highly important design |
Japanese Woodblock by Utamaro ‘Beauty Before Mirror’ Authentic mid-Showa era woodblock “re-strike” (that is, produced from re-carved blocks) by Japan’s early grandmaster of “ukiyo-e,” Utamaro (1753-1806) and published by Takamizawa Mokuhansha Publisher of Tokyo. (Takamizawa was well known for their very accurate reproductions of earlier “ukiyo-e” prints—in doing so, earning both the scorn and admiration of respected Watanabe Publisher’s founder, Sh?abur·Watanabe.) Scene is from among the series titled “Ten Studies in Female Physiognomy” (“Fujin Sogakku Juttai”) originally published in 1792-93 by Tsuta-ya Juzaburo Publishers. Takamizawa’s seals are seen on verso; with Kikuta Kojiro as carver and Sato Kanjiro as printer; along with the date of “Showa 45,” or 1970. Circa 1970. The printing quality and details of these Takamizawa “re-strikes” is outstanding, rivaling that of the early originals. Nice, subtle “bokashi” (gradation of color) shading throughout the green kimono, very finely carved details, and gauffrage (blind-printing or embossing) which adds real texture to the entire kimono. Also note—the entire print’s background is over-printed using “mica” imparting a sumptuous appearance to the final print. Condition is very good—some slight wrinkling—but print shows no signs of any prior mounting. Bright, fresh colors. Image measures 10" x 15" inches. |