Bijin-ga (lit."Beautiful Person Picture")
Utagawa School possibly by Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
This authentic Ukiyo-e woodblock is dated, on the image,
to the period in between
KANSEI 3rd and BUNKA 1st year (1791-1804)
Although the paper-napkin-thin Washi paper is over 219 years old,
it still retains some of its original colors and charm.
Now in the Collection of Dr. Wanda Riesz Duchnowski
Geishas
from the Yosiwara Niwaka Festival.
Kitagawa Utamaro
This print is possibly from 1793,
or perhaps a bit later.
It is signed Utamaro-ga and
published by Tsuruya Kiemon.
Utamaro was a master of Bijin-ga
"Beautiful Person Picture"
and his works influenced many
European Impressionists.
YAKUSHA-E (Actor Prints)
Two Kabuki Actors
"cutting a pose"
The MIE is the pose
by which Kabuki characters
are most remembered
by their fans.
Kunisada (Toyokuni)
Japan 1850
Ichizo as HASHIBA Hisakichi
Utagawa TOYOKUNI III
1786-1864
After he changed his name
from KUNISADA.
The Seal identifies it as
being published in
BUNKYU 1st Year (1861)
by EBIYA Rinnosuke.
YOSHITORA (Ichimosai)
Published 1850-1880
It appears to be a female
displaying her BOJUTSU
skills to an interested
group of men.
BOJUTSU is a martial art
using a long staff.
It is said to be indefensible.
SEGAWA KIKUNOJO III
(the most famous actor of his time)
as Oshizu
Designed by SHARAKU
Carved by Woodblock Masters
Hashiguchi Goyo &
Kaburagi Kiyokata
TAISHO 6 (1917)
It is still tipped to its
original presentation page.
Lovely gray mica background.
