Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) (artist 11/15/1797 – 03/05/1861)
The Upstairs Parlor of a Brothel (Nikai zashiki no zu - 二かい座敷の図) from the series Modern Select Dolls (Tōsei mitate ningyō no uchi - 當盛見立人形之内)
02/1856
20.5 in x 15 in (Overall dimensions) Signed: Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画)
Artist's seal: kiri
Publishers: Honmo (Marks U074 - seal 30-055)
& possibly Sanoya Kihei (Marks 447)
Carver: Hori Sashichikoku
Censor's seal: Aratame
Date: 1856, 2nd month
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Waseda University - right panel
Waseda University - left panel
National Museum of Japanese History (via Ritsumeikan University) - right panel only
National Museum of Japanese History (via Ritsumeikan University) - left panel only
Lyon Collectiion - another example of a display at Asakausa
Lyon Collectiion - another example of a display at Asakausa Courtesans relaxing in the 'tatami' room of a greenhouse ex B. W. Robinson collection.
Prints in this series illustrate carved groups of “dolls” displayed at Kannon Temple in Asakusa. Although the word ningyō is translated as “dolls”, these lifelike dolls (iki-ningyō) were in fact extremely realistic life-sized clothed statues. This print series is listed as number 185 in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).
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There are at least five different iterations of this diptych including the work of several artists: Kuniyoshi, Toyokuni III, Yoshimori and Kunisato. In each the figures are essentially the same, but the setting is reframed slightly.
Historical - Social - Ephemera (genre)
mitate-e (見立て絵) (genre)
Sanoya Kihei (佐野屋喜兵衛) (publisher)
Honmo (本茂) (publisher)