Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni III (三代豊国) (artist 1786 – 01/12/1865)
The courtesan Mayuzumi (黛) from the Sakuragi house (さくらぎや) from the school of Kunisada - one panel of a pentaptych
1830s
10 in x 14.75 in (Overall dimensions) Japanese woodblock print
Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna
Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna - another print from this series
Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna - another print from this series
Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna - another print from this series The name Sakuragiya appears on the lantern behind the courtesan.
This is only one sheet of a five panel composition. So far, we have not found all of the sheets, nor have we seen an artist's or a publisher's seal. There was a period when a lot of similar unsigned compositions were produced showing the highest ranked courtesans on parade at night during cherry-blossom season. One alluding to the other. It only makes sense that these were probably commissioned and underwritten by the houses that were trying to drum up business.
Above are links to several other panels from this set in the museum in Vienna. There must be reasons that this and other similar compositions are so difficult to parse. If we ever find out why this is so we will let you know.
beautiful woman picture (bijin-ga - 美人画) (genre)