An oiran lighting an andon - from the series <i>Richly Colored Contemporary Fashions</i> (<i>Gokusaishiki jisei shitate</i> - 極彩色時世仕立)

Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni III (三代豊国) (artist 1786 – 01/12/1865)

An oiran lighting an andon - from the series Richly Colored Contemporary Fashions (Gokusaishiki jisei shitate - 極彩色時世仕立)

Print


ca 1819
10 in x 14.75 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock printing

Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga
五渡亭国貞画
Publisher: Iseya Rihei (Marks 152 - seal 01-122)
Censor: kiwame
Kunisada.de - 8 prints from this series
Lyon Collection - another print from this series

The courtesan, warmly dressed for a winter's day or night, is lighting a floor lamp so she can continue writing a possible love letter. Notice her writing set nearby with its brush, ink, stone. A cup holding water sits atop the lid of her black lacquer box resting on the ground.

The title of the series appears as a label on the outside of a scroll in the upper left. A careful examination of the fabric covering the outside of the scroll shows the toshidama, Kunisada's seal.

One of the more beautiful elements of this beautiful print is the green cord loosely unwound around the title scroll. At the end of the cord is the carved ivory piece used to secure the scroll when tightly closed. A wonderful touch.
Iseya Rihei (伊勢屋利兵衛) (publisher)
beautiful women (bijin-ga - 美人画) (genre)